We are pleased to announce that the Nominating Committee is promoting the below council nominees (4) and nominating committee nominees (6) for congregation approval at our Sunday, May 18th, 2025 congregation meeting (in alphabetical order by last name).
Note: This coming week (week of May 12) a post will be published and communicated through the Words of Hope Newsletter regarding the May 18th Congregation Meeting. Stay tuned.
Council (4 nominees):
1. Daniel Beeks
Personal: My wife Terri and I have been attending Esperanza for the past 15 years or so. We have lived in Ahwatukee for 33 years. Both our son and our daughter were confirmed at Esperanza. My parents also became members when they retired and moved to Arizona.
We previously attended University Lutheran in Tempe. We transferred to Esperanza because, at the time, it had many more children for the Sunday School and Confirmation classes for our children, and more contemporary music that our children preferred.
Church Activities: I served on the Nominating Committee at Esperanza in 2024 and 2025. Terri and I (usually with the assistance of my parents) also are frequent providers of coffee and treats after the Sunday service. I occasionally help out as a lector.
When we attended University Lutheran in Tempe, I served on the Church Council for several years, including stints as treasurer and vice president. During my time on the Council, we called two new pastors. I am finally over the trauma and ready to serve again.
Career: I have been an attorney for over 35 years. I currently practice mainly family law. Before that, I spent over 20 years doing civil and commercial litigation.
I have also been an assistant coach for track and cross-country at Desert Vista H.S. for the past 11 years.
Education: ASU Law School (Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law) – Juris Doctor
University of Idaho – Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and Finance
2. Kelly Edwards
Church Activities: Substitute Sunday School Teacher
Prior Council Member
Prior Children of Hope Council Member
Volunteer Lecturer, Usher, and Greeter
Community Outreach: CROP Hunger Walk
Habitat for Humanity Lunch
Kyrene Resource Center
Kiwanis Easter Parade
Career: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner working in private practice for clients ages 6 and above. Also works in community health psychiatry for people in group homes that are adjusting to life outside of homelessness.
Family: Mom to Esperanza member Paige (10), stepson James (17, lives in NJ), foster son Ayden (21, lives in Mesa), parents, also Esperanza Members, Cindy and Ted Jackson and cats Lucky and Joey Edwards
3. Timothy Klandrud
Esperanza Member: Charter member from November 1989 to 2005; rejoined in 2023 and is a current member.
Church Involvement: Esperanza Lutheran Church (1989–2005)
• Served on the Property Committee, including as Chair, from 1991 to 2003.
• Served on Church Council for several years during the 1990s.
• Active in small groups, Cursillo weekend events, Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children, and other outreach efforts.
• In 1999, organized the first outreach Alpha Courses for Esperanza and provided training for group leaders. Also assisted in Alpha training for Mountain View Lutheran Church.
Mountain View Lutheran Church (2005–2015)
• Continued organizing Alpha Courses and supporting training efforts at Mountain View and other area churches.
• Served on Church Council from 2007 to 2012, including a term as Congregation President.
Career: Tim recently retired after more than 40 years as a Communications and Systems Engineer. His career included work on satellite and cellular systems for companies such as Motorola, Nokia, and Viasat.
Family: Tim has been married to Gail for 49 years. Together, they have five children and five grandchildren.
4. Mark Krach
My wife Lisa and I have been members of Esperanza since moving to Phoenix in 2000. Married for 36 years, we have one daughter- Melissa. She’s a UA grad and lives in Scottsdale working for Ernst and Young. Lisa is a reading teacher in Tempe Schools.
Church Activities: I was on the most recent call committee and one year, I was also responsible for contributing to a pastor’s evaluation and provided the in-person performance review. Over the years, I have also done some occasional volunteer work for the pre-school.
Career: I just retired after 30 years of serving as Vice President / Senior Creative Director for automatic- a company that helps automotive manufacturers launch their latest models and newest technologies.
I am currently creating my “retirement company” – First Turn Communications, named after the world famous first turn at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Education: University of Texas at Austin – MBA in Finance and Management.
Bowling Green State University in Ohio – BBA in Journalism and Secondary Education.
Nominating Committee (6 nominees):
1. Susan Brown
I have been a resident of Ahwatukee for 37 years and a member of Esperanza along with my husband and family for 35 years.
Past participation:
Elected to the Council in 2008 and was Council Secretary
Coordinated Coffee Hour for 5 years
Coordinated Christmas Progressive Dinner for a few years
Altar Guild
Current Participation: Elected to the Council in 2021 and was Council Secretary (thru 2023) serving 4 years.
Coordinate Lenten Soup/Salad Meals
Serve as a Greeter regularly
Serve as a Communion Asst regularly
Serve as an Usher regularly
Personal: Married for 47 years to Gary
Two sons: Matt(Kristen) and Chris (Kealia)
Four grandchildren: Rylee, Aspyn, Jackson and Ellie
2. John Fisher
My wife and I have been members of Esperanza since 1997. We have been married for 56 years and have 3 kids and 3 grandkids.
I have been a member of the church council, lector, and offering counter. For more than 25 years my major hobby was building Habitat houses with the South East Valley Lutheran Coalition.
I am a retired patent attorney.
3. Larry Hanson
Native of upper Midwest. Joined Esperanza in approximately 1994.
Esperanza Activities: • Member of Community Outreach Team since January 2023. Chair of the Team since late 2023.
• Member of 35th Anniversary Planning Committee.
• Serving as offerings counter.
• Chair of 2022 hunger ministry.
• Served on Church Council 2003/2004 to 2004/2006. Served as Council President 2004/2005 to 2005/2006.
• Co-chair of Building Committee for design and construction of lower building.
• Served on Property Committee for several years. Served as chair for a couple of years.
Career: Consulting civil engineer.
Family: Wife Peggy; Daughters Alison and Amy. Son Brett.
4. Beth Leaf
- I started attending Esperanza in 1998
- I have served on the council and serve as representative to the council on the Children of Hope board
- I serve as a greeter and communion assistant
- Helped with the street cleanup
- Hunger outreach
- I feel that the Esperanza congregation feeds my soul and allows for me with the Holy Sprit to be a point of light out in the world
- I’m married to Jeff leaf and I have one daughter, Amanda Leaf and two stepsons Brian (deceased,) and Scott Leaf.
- I have a BS in speech and hearing science from ASU and a masters in education
5. Julie Valenzuela
Church Activities: Member since 1994
- Served on Esperanza Church Council from May 2022 – May 2024. Was responsible for fellowship activities. Currently help with other fellowship activities, such as dinners, parties, funerals
- Volunteer for greeter, communion, usher, PowerPoint operator for church slideshow
- Participate in the Prayer Chain community
- Member of the Wednesday Mary Circle
- Volunteer on the Green team and clean up on our Adopt a Street program
- Volunteer in Pancake Breakfast at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Phoenix
Career: Various capacities in Intel Human Resources Benefits operations.
Family: Husband Ralph, children JJ and Leah, 6 grandkids.
6. Paul Wagner
- Charter member
- Taught Sunday School
- Lector
- Choir Usher
- Assisting minister
For the current list of Council and Nominating Committee Members and the role of a council member please visit our Congregation Council Page.