Chris Klopfenstein
GENERAL
I was born and raised in Woodburn, Indiana. Baptized at Christ Lutheran Church & attended Woodburn Lutheran School until High School where I graduated from Woodlan High School. I married my high school sweetheart, Todd, of 34 years. We have two married sons and three grandchildren. We are also blessed with two wonderful daughter-in-laws.
While my sons were growing up, I headed up Moms-in-Touch for many years in the Northwest School system. Moms-in-Touch is a group of mothers that met weekly, prayed for our children, administration & needs of the school system.
Todd & I are Charter members of Praise Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN.
TRAINING & PASSIONS
•STEPHEN LEADER - Praise Lutheran Church sent me to St. Louis for training to become a Stephen Leader in 2005; A Stephen Leader is a Pastor or lay leader who has completed a Stephen Series Leader’s Training Course and directs Stephen Ministry in his or her congregation. Currently the Stephen Ministry is active with 4 Stephen Leaders, 20 trained Stephen Ministers – currently 10 are active Stephen Ministers. A Stephen Minister is a congregational member who is recruited, selected, trained, commissioned, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide one-to-one Christian care to persons in need on behalf of the congregation. I am also currently serving as the Referral Coordinator for the Stephen Ministry. Networking is also an important part of the Stephen Ministry. This is communication with other churches & denominations that have a Stephen Ministry Program in their congregation that can assist with placing a person needing a Stephen Minister.
•LUTHERAN MINISTRIES MEDIA - I have worked with Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. and their television program “Worship for Shut-Ins”, as a floor director and have served on the board of directors for LMM.
•EMPLOYMENT - I am currently working for Rev. Dr. Paul Dancy & Rev. J. Brown as the Church Secretary at Praise Lutheran Church, 1115 W. Dupont Rd. in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
•CHURCH COUNCIL - Prior to working in the church office, I have served on Church Council in Outreach & Stewardship positions.