The Staff
Rev. Diane Hooge, Senior Pastor
Diane has been Senior Pastor at Judson since 2000. She is an ordained American Baptist Pastor with a Master of Divinity Degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, California. She came to Minnesota from Massachusetts where she had been serving as an Area Minister. Missing the community of parish life, and realizing that change happens at a grassroots level, she felt called to return to the local church. The strength of the Judson laity and its inclusive commitment drew her to this position.
Diane’s leadership style is collaborative; and she is energized by walking with people to help them discover, nurture and implement their own unique gifts and callings. She offers sermons that are relevant to daily life. The community appreciates her role as spiritual mentor and counselor. For the past few years she has been attending continuing education retreats sponsored by Parker Palmer under his program titled Courage to Lead.
Diane and Ken Hooge live in St. Paul, MN and have two grown sons. Diane enjoys travel, antiques, reading, movies and spending time with family and friends.
Rev. Kevin Brown, Director of Faith Formation
Kevin joined the Judson staff as Director of Faith Formation in 2007. He is an ordained minister and is nearing completion of a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Kevin came to Minnesota from St. Louis, where he served Affton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as Minister for Growth and Nurture and was a seminary student.
Kevin and his wife, Monica, live in Apple Valley, MN, with their four children. Kevin enjoys listening to and making music, cooking (and eating), reading, movies, and enjoying time with family and friends.
John DeHaan, Music Director
John has been Music Director at Judson since 2006. He has a Master of Music Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Voice Performance. He is a tenured Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Minnesota where he teaches voice and diction to doctoral students. Prior to Judson, he was Director of Music at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Mounds View, MN.
In addition toextensive experience with both church and college choirs, John has a passion for opera. He sang opera full time from l985 to l995, primarily in Europe, where he met his wife, Jane. They live with their two daughters in Shorewood, MN. In addition to spending time with his family & two dogs, John enjoys boating and collaborating on fun projects with other musicians.
Jim Wentink, Organist
Jim has been Organist at Judson since 2002. He grew up in Shoreview, MN and graduated from Bemidji State University with a B.S. in Music, majoring in vocal and minoring in organ. He started playing at age three when his parents bought him an Emenee chord organ. He has studied with Paul Manz and David Cherwien.
Both Jim and John DeHaan share the common experience of having worked at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Mounds View, MN, but in different years. Jim was their organist for 12 years, leaving in l994. Jim lives and works in downtown Minneapolis and enjoys traveling, walking, bowling and spending time with friends.
Tracy Van Slyke, Administrator
Tracy has been our Church Administrator since 2006. A life-long resident of the Kingfield Neighborhood where Judson is located, she is a graduate of Washburn High School and the Legal Office Administration program at the Minnesota School of Business. Prior to joining the Judson staff, she worked for 8 years in long-term care administration at Walker Methodist Health Center. She enjoys camping, gardening, skiing and spending time at “the cabin” with family and friends. Tracy and her fiancé, Brad, are planning and looking forward to a fall 2010 wedding.
Shefali Vyas, Childcare provider
Shefali is originally from India and has lived in Minnesota since 2002. She joined the Judson staff in February of 2009. She has a bachelor’s degree from M.S. University in Baroda, India in Communication with a minor in Child Development. She is also certified in First Aid and CPR. She taught kindergarten in India for 4+ years and was awarded “Best Teacher of the Year” for 2002. Shefali enjoys working with kids and is proud to be part of the “friendly and cooperative” Judson family.
Shefali and Jaymik Vyas have one daughter and live in Eden Prairie, MN. Shefali enjoys spending time with her family, going to parks, watching movies, trying new recipes and exploring new places.
Juanita Vargas, Caretaker
Originally from Puerto Rico, Juanita has been living in Minnesota since 1986. She began working at Judson in 2000 along with her husband Nicolas who died in a car accident in his home country of Mexico in 2006. Juanita lives in Minneapolis and has 5 adult children and 11 grandchildren. She loves to read and spend weekends with her grandchildren; and also enjoys an annual trip to Puerto Rico to visit family and friends.
