Pastor Jim

Pastor Stewart James Petteys (Jim) was born on May 1, 1941 on the family farm in Haskins, Ohio. His mother said that, “If it is a boy, you can take him with you.” She decided to keep him anyway, but ended up naming him after the doctor.

Jim’s mom (Edythe) had five children within six and a half years – and no indoor plumbing! Needless to say, she is known for her sense of humor. Pastor Jim has inherited this sense of humor and shares it each and every day.

Jim’s father (George) was born and raised in Tontogamy, Ohio. He farmed his whole life, retiring in 1986. Jim’s father died in 1989.

Pastor Jim is married to Jan, and they have three wonderful daughters (and Jim will tell you he also has “two wonderful son-in-laws” – but never tells people which two!) who live in the Chicago and Columbus areas… raising their nine beautiful grand-children.

Jim’s siblings include: Tom, Rodney, Nancy and David.

Jim attended and graduated from Otsego High School in Tontogamy. His college days were spent at Bowling Green State University, Stautzenberger Business School, and Findlay College where he graduated with a degree in accounting, and a minor in math. Jim graduated seminary, from what is now known as Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

Jim’s first call was to Hope Lutheran in Hamler, Ohio… then Trinity Lutheran in Frankfort (from 1975 – 1986)… then St. Paul in New Rochester, Ohio… then Zion Lutheran in Freeland, Michigan (for 12½ years)… THEN, on October 15, 2001 – Pastor Jim came back home to Trinity in Frankfort!

Jim currently serves as co-pastor with Pastor Rick at Trinity. Hoping to work for about “3 years or so” when he returned – we are very glad he is still here!

Jim and his wife Jan, live in a home (on 21 acres) in Honor, Michigan.

Pastor Rick

Pastor Richard B. Stieve (Rick) was born on February 8, 1962 in Dearborn, Michigan. He is the second child of four – with an older brother (Jeff in DeWitt, MI), a younger sister (Dawn in Berkley, MI) and a younger brother (Mark in Dearborn).

Rick’s father (Dick) was raised in Dearborn and retired from Ford Motor Company – and his mother grew up in Detroit and retired from working as a registered nurse. They now live in Traverse City, are members of Trinity, and spend winters in Florida.

Rick attended and graduated from Dearborn High School. His college days were spent at Michigan State University where he graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, with a focus in science and social studies. Rick graduated seminary from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

Rick’s first call was to Bethlehem Lutheran in Traverse City… then was called as Trinity’s pastor in 1992. – Pastor Rick left for a brief time to serve as an Assistant to the Bishop in Lansing (in 2000) but quickly came back home to Trinity in Frankfort!

It has been said that Pastor Jim and Pastor Rick, with their returns to Trinity/Frankfort, are the only two “Re-Called Pastors” serving the same congregation in the ELCA!

Rick currently serves as co-pastor with Pastor Jim at Trinity.

Rick and his wife Linda, along with their two boys (Alex and Tim), live in a home in the Frankfort area.

Lisa Packard (Minister of Youth & Small Groups)

Lisa June (McMasters) Packard was born November 12, 197 4 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Her parents are Mike and Carol McMasters. Her dad was raised in Huntington Beach, CA until sixteen and moved to Grants Pass where he met Lisa’s mother who was raised there. Lisa’s maternal grandparents are Leatha (Seimens) Button and the late Leonard Button, also of Grants Pass. Lisa was very close to these grandparents, having spent two months every summer with them. Lisa also names Leatha as the one who has most influenced Lisa during her life. Lisa’s maternal grandfather worked, as many of the family did, his entire life in the saw mills.

Lisa has two younger brothers. Aaron, aged thirty-three, lives with Lisa’s parents and has three children. Johnny, aged twenty-nine, lives in Seattle and is an artist.

Lisa had had the desire since she was ten of entering the ministry. She’d been in impressed with the Hagameijers, missionaries to Zaire, Africa with whom the family became close. The first week in church at Tulsa, when Lisa
was fifteen, she met her future husband, Troy Packard. Sitting behind her, he’d introduced himself and resolved to himself that he’d some day marry her. Troy’s parents had moved from Michigan to attend the same Bible
College. When both turned sixteen, they began dating.

After high school, Lisa attended Rhema Bible Training Center for two years. The summer between she was invited to join the Hagameijers in Zaire, Africa for three months. The tickets were purchased yet she backed out the day before leaving due to her parents fear for her safety and Troy’s reluctance to be parted. She’s always regretted that decision.

After graduating from the Bible College, Lisa and Troy were married on November 11, 1994. The Packers have two daughters. Shelby, aged fourteen, is in the ninth grade at Frankfort/Elberta High School. She loves basketball and volleyball and sings, plays the guitar and writes music. Madison, aged twelve, is in the 7th grade and participates in basketball, volleyball and track. She also loves to sing. Lisa describes both daughters as very good, though different, singers.

Lisa has had much experience working with youth. When sixteen she worked after school at the Small World Learning Center with school aged children. After high school she worked for four years as a lead teacher for four to
five year old preschoolers. After the birth of her girls she spent six years at home. Then, for one year she was the assistant teacher for a four year old pre-school prior to moving here in June 2001.

In 2002 Lisa was hired to teach at the Betsie Bay Coop Preschool. During that time she studied for two years to obtain her Child Development Associates degree.

Lisa has served on the Panther Parent Board which holds fundraisers to provide the students a rich variety of experiences they’d not be able to have otherwise. Lisa was the Director of the Summer Recreation Program for
three years. Besides her music, Lisa enjoys cooking, swimming and running. She participated in the Traverse City Marathon two years. Lisa’s favorite hymn is “Great is Thy Faithfulness”.

These experiences led Lisa to focus her attention to singing. Lisa sang at six different churches, twice at Trinity. Having been raised and active in the Pentecostal faith until they were twenty-eight, Lisa and Troy became aware of the message of Grace. They’d become skeptical of the judgmental message of their church. Having sung at various services at Trinity over the past two years, Lisa was moved by the non-judgmental attitude and the fact that she was invited to participate in communion although not a member. Lisa said that she had not been aware of a denomination that preached Grace.

Ironically, Troy had always wanted to be a police officer while Lisa had always wanted to be in the ministry. Each was strongly opposed at time to the other’s career dream. A series of coincidences brought Troy to being a police officer in Oklahoma – and then to this area where he is a deputy for the Benzie County Sheriff’s Department. Lisa likewise arrived at her original career choice – through a series of coincidences. See Lisa or Troy to hear the details and understand their changed feelings about the other’s career.