Pastor Arden Haug began his ministry at Lake of the Isles in January 2013. His colorful and innovative use of music, liturgy and the history of the Lutheran Church has evolved over 25 years of ministry in Minnesota and in Europe. He began his ministry as a Norwegian-speaking preacher in Minneapolis in the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church. It was here that he met his wife Janna. Together as missionaries they established English-speaking congregations in Riga, Latvia and Vilnius, Lithuania. After serving as the Senior Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Marine on St. Croix, the Haugs, together with their then teenage sons Vitali and Alexei, were sent to Bratislava, Slovakia where Pastor Haug served as the ELCA’s Regional Representative for Europe. He later became the pastor of the Bratislava International Church and the Director of the ELCA Wittenberg Center in Wittenberg, Germany. Pastor Haug’s doctoral studies in homiletics or the art of preaching are reflected in his personal, relevant, often humorous and inspiring sermons.

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Dr. Kristina Ziema Rizzotto has served as a church musician since 2006, in the capacities of liturgical organist and director of adult and school choirs, as well as of handbell ensembles and a schola cantorum. She is also an active international recitalist, having played organ and piano concerts in Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and in 22 American states and the District of Columbia. Dr. Rizzotto was named a member of The Diapason’s 20 Under 30 Class of 2017, which recognizes young leaders in the fields of organ, harpsichord, carillon, and church music. Dr. Rizzotto is a published composer. She holds a Doctorate in Organ Performance from the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Music in Organ Performance and Sacred Music from East Carolina University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Magna cum Laude). Her doctoral dissertation was about the importance of music in the formation of the national identity of the Latvian people, focusing on organ compositions by Aivars Kalējs which represent the values and spirit of the Latvian heritage. Her YouTube channel features 400+ organ, piano, and choral recordings, which have been watched 2.5 million times. Dr. Rizzotto has three children.

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Miranda Stadem-Ward was born in Northern California and has been serving in professional ministry since 2005. Originally ordained in the Assemblies of God in 2010 after completing her BA of Divinity and Counseling Psychology programs at Bethany University in Santa Cruz, California, Miranda has been deeply involved in several interfaith and ecumenical ministries throughout the United States, Central America, and the United Kingdom. After experiencing a call to help the Church reach people beyond its walls, Miranda earned her MA of Divinity and additional certificates in the History of the Reformed Church and Anglican Studies at Emory University’s, Candler School of Theology in 2014.

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Diane joined the staff at LOTI in 2013. She oversees the Sunday School program and events/activities held throughout the year involving children and families. Diane comes with years of experience as a children’s ministry director, children’s music director and worship accompanist. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the piano, singing, volunteering at school and daily walks with her two labrador retrievers. Diane is married and has two children.
Diane began as Office Manager role in July 2023.

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A creative visionary in fashion design and event management, Sandy founded the award-winning couture bridal and costume company, A Head of Her Time. She continues to partner with the Wedding Guys as a Gown Curator and is the Wedding Manager for LOTI. She directed the School of Fashion at the Art Institutes International and earned an award for Excellence in Education. She also taught at St. Catherine University. Her extensive education background has taken her around the world, studying millinery, fashion design and marketing from names including London College of Fashion in the UK, Shenkar College of Engineering and Design in Ramat Gan, Israel, European School of Business (ESB) in Reutlingen Germany, Philadelphia University, and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

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