Staff
Eric D. Kieb, Pastor
Pastor Kieb was born in Livonia and raised in Plymouth Michigan. He spent 4-½ years living in Germany until he was almost 10 years old, but otherwise he's spent the majority of his life in the Mitten State. During his adolescent years he played hockey, and he played against the Detroit Red Wing Old-Timers, including Alec Delveccio and Gordie Howe. Eric graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Interpersonal Communication and a minor in Journalism from Eastern Michigan University. He did his seminary work at Asbury Theological Seminary, receiving with a Masters of Divinity Degree.
Eric has a lovely wife named Lisa, and three great kids: Brennan, Calvin and their newest addition Isabella. They enjoy being together and playing in God’s great outdoors, but nothing beats an evening at home with the family together, playing board games, watching a movie or simply enjoying each others company.
He also loves to listen to and play music. Eric says he is a capable drummer and a guitar hack. He enjoys reading widely and voraciously. His favorite book (next to the Bible, of course) is The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning. He says the book had such an impact on his life that he named their first child after it’s author.
According to Eric, "There is nothing that excites me more than to see someone live into the life that God has created her/him to live. When I see people’s eyes and hearts open up to the love of God in a transformative way that drives them to love and serve the world with the love of God, it amazes me that I get to play a small part of that. As Christians, I believe we are called to be Kingdom Builders, right here and right now! We aren’t invited to accept Jesus and simply wait for a better world to come some time in the future. No, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer – Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven – we come to understand that how we live the Kingdom of God in the way of Jesus will have immediate ramifications in the here and now! I can think of no greater endeavor under the sun to give my life to!"
Eric feels Good Shepherd is unique because, "There aren’t many places in the world that upon entering you feel like you're home. Good Shepherd UMC of the North is that kind of place. From it’s friendly people to it’s casual and welcoming environment, GSUMC is one place where people find it easy to belong to a caring Christian community as together we discover what it is to be full-on passionate disciples of Jesus Christ."
To email Pastor Eric, just click on his name or you may call him at Good Shepherd at 989-275-5577.
John McKay, Director of Student Ministries
Born in Flint, John McKay was raised in Flushing, Michigan. After high school John worked toward his apprenticeship in plumbing before becoming licensed as a Journeyman Plumber. At the same time he was doing 'The Lamp Program' through the General Baptist Demonimation, working toward ordination. John told his youth pastor he would never EVER work with teenagers, but obviously God had other plans. In fact, God has John convinced that if he weren't a youth pastor, he'd be a missionary.
John is married to Amber, saying God had blessed him with the 'best woman in the world'. He says God also blessed him with two wonderful daughters, Hannah and Lydia. And, of course the family would not be complete without their two boys, Rico and Jackson (their Yorkshire Terrier pups). Together the family enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors (hunting and fishing), watching the girls play sports, or just having a bonfire with some Christian music playing in the background.
Describing 'Youth Ministry' is tough to do unless you are actually there to witness it (yes, that's an open invitation). There is such an overwhelming blessing in watching teens grow, not just in their relationship with God, but in getting to know this younger generation (John calls them the Now Church). He thinks of Youth Ministry as, "Doing ministry with excellence even though it won't be but trying."—Acts 2:24.
John enjoys bow hunting, music, bowling, and almost all sports. He loves barbeque and finds books by Francis Chan excellent. He also like being at Good Shepherd which he sees as a very warm and loving body of Christrian believers.
To email John, just click on his name or you may call him at Good Shepherd at 989-275-5577.lease welcome our newest staff member.
Judy Barbour, Church Secretary
Originally a ‘trunk slammer’ from Dearborn, Judy Barbour and her family (husband Mike and son Adam) became fulltime Roscommoners in late 1995. Judy was born in Detroit and raised in Dearnborn, graduating from Dearborn High School in 1970. She's a Summa cum Laude graduate of Macomb County Community College attaining her AAS in Business Management. Judy also attended Detroit College of Business and is a Dale Carnegie grad. Before retiring, Judy worked for 19 years as a supervisor at Detroit Edison Company. Upon arriving in beautiful northern Michigan, Judy worked at the Star Buyer’s Guide in West Branch, was the office manager at Markey Township and most recently managed the senior citizen apartment complex, Country Village Apartments.
Judy is very happy to be a part of the Good Shepherd staff which she feels was an answer to prayer. Now a widow, and with son Adam living in California, Judy remains committed to God’s north country. Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.”
Judy says, “I still find it difficult to totally understand the full extent of God’s grace but am so grateful for it. I am overwhelmed by God’s friendship.”
To email Judy, just click on her name or you may call her at Good Shepherd at 989-275-5577.
Cindy Edwards, Office and Ministries Assistant
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cindy Edwards was raised in Strafford, Pennsylvania. She attended East Stroudsburg State Teachers College (now called East Stroudsburg University). Cindy used her degree to teach Elementary Physical Education for two years in Commerce City, Colorado before moving to Michigan.
Cindy is married to husband Bob, and they have three grown children—Carl, Pam and Janet. Cindy says they enjoy going on vacations with them and just chilling out with them when they visit.
For hobbies, she claims to be a 'Jack of All Trades and a Master of None'. Cindy dabbles in a lot of areas but loves to knit and crochet. In fact, she admits an addiction to knit and crochet magazines—and Good Shepherd has reaped the rewards of her 'addiction' and talent in beautiful prayer shawls. She also collects cookie cutters and is a member of the Cookie Cutter Collectors Club. (Now repeat, "Cindy collects cookie cutters and a member of the Cookie Cutter Collectors Club is she!" rapidly 10 times.)
Her life passion is to be thankful for everyday that the Lord gives her and to try to make the most of each day. Her favorite psalm is the 23rd, and over the years she says she has repeated the psalm many times in worrisome situations. Her ministry passion is to promote activities that reach out to people beyond our church (just as she feels God wants all of us to do). Cindy says that Good Shepherd is a very friendly environment in which to worship, and she believes that most of the people here truly want to reach out to others with open hearts, minds and doors.
Finally Cindy tells us, "I don't know what other job I would do. I am still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up."
To email Cindy, just click on her name or you may call her at Good Shepherd at 989-275-5577.
June Karjalainen, Music Director
June Karjalainen is actually a local by birth—she's originally from Roscommon. From 1976-1984 she lived in Wyoming and worked as a chemical analyst for a uranium mining corporation. However, she insists she doesn't 'glow in the dark'! She and her mother share a lovely home in the village, where they also share their love of gardening.
Good Shepherd, according to June, is still a very new church that has attracted people from other denominations and communities, and she lists our membership participation in minitries and church operations as unique.
Music is June's passion. She loves sharing her passion with others and delights helping young people get started in music. She is in awe of the power of music—how it enhances worship and is interwoven in the thread of our lives. Her favorite quote, "Music is cosmic dust," comes from the movie, Harold and Maude.
Besides gardening, June enjoys reading, maintaining the 'perfect swimming pool', and rooting for the for the Redwings. If she had any other job she says she would be playing the organ at a major league baseball park.
To email June, just click on her name or you may call her at Good Shepherd at 989-275-5577.
We seek to bring all people to Jesus by being a friendly, Christ-centered community offering God's healing, help and hope.