Greetings from the Pres House Staff! Let us introduce ourselves…
Mark Elsdon, Campus Co-Pastor/Executive Director
“I entered college very sure of my faith. That was both good and bad. I found that my image of God, though strong, was actually quite small. Spending time in the dorms talking with friends and on the streets talking with homeless people opened up my perspective on faith. I found that God was in fact much bigger than any of my conceptions.
As a pastor I continue to find that God is bigger than me or my attempts to talk about God. And that excites me! Jesus Christ is more than a concept, more than an idea, more than an image on the cover of a magazine. He is the living Word of God, constantly challenging me to live a love-filled, grace-filled life. He is an event, an experience, a person. And he is bigger than my doubts and questions. Which is why I am free to voice and ask them. It is my hope that Pres House is always a place where God challenges our small conceptions, where we freely question and seek, and where we experience God anew whether we have known God for years or are simply wondering… ”
Mark has served Pres House since 2004. Born in the Midwest to immigrants from England, Mark has also lived in the southern, western, and eastern parts of the United States. He is married to Erica and they have two daughters. Mark has a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Erica Liu, Campus Co-Pastor
“Until I entered college, I thought Christianity was mythology and that Christians were weak-minded people. But I ended up sharing my dorm room with a Christian and to my surprise, we became friends. During that year, I was challenged to examine what I believed about life and community. What I discovered was that the love and power of God brings radical transformation within people and the world. God’s call for our lives goes way beyond what we can imagine–it’s much riskier, bolder, and fulfilling than the plans we make. I hope you will join that adventure with the community at Pres House.”
Erica has served Pres House since 2004. She is a second generation, Taiwanese-American who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. She lives in Madison with her husband, Mark, and their two daughters. Erica has a BA in Mass Communications from UC Berkeley and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Co-Pastors Mark Elsdon and Erica Liu will be on sabbatical from March 1 – June 30, 2012. For more information about their sabbatical and interim staffing at Pres House click here.
Michael Hillestad, Music Director
Hey there! So here I am at Pres House! What an honor and delight.You see, I grew up in the greater Madison area, I would often pass by the impressive building we know as Pres House on my way to music lessons on campus. I would think to myself “what an incredible place”. Well that was years ago and after a couple of international tours, lots of hard work, studies, and life in general the opportunity came for me to come inside. WOW was about all I could say. While I have grown up in the church, spent most all of my life in the church, I seem to think I know a lot about “church”, but Pres House isn’t “church”. It’s a community of encouraging believers. Never before have I ever felt like I really belonged and are truly welcomed just as I am. That sense of belonging inspires me to use the gift of music God has placed on me to lead the music program here. Digging deep into not just notes on a page, but the meaning of the music and how that impacts our lives. I’ve studied many styles and types of music, and we explore them all. I am excited to be here at Pres House where there is such life, growth, and vitality. See you in worship!
Travis Serebin, Student Intern
Sometimes it is the most basic things that inspire us to act, like the sandwich board sign proclaiming “Worship and Free Dinner” that drew me into the doors of Pres House during Welcome Week three and a half years ago. Many dinners, small groups, and service trips later, I continue to be thankful for that decision.
I am currently finishing up my last semester at the University of Wisconsin with degrees in International Studies and Political Science. Like many of you, I am also attempting to discern where I should be taking my talents next. Two of my favorite things are coffee and meeting new people (well, and the Green Bay Packers), and I am always available to be a listening ear or talk about whatever. Feel free to come on by!
Brandon Donkersgoed CPA, Accounting and Finance Manager
I grew up in Hammond, WI and graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in accounting. I currently live in Marshall with my wife Natalie and three sons, three-year-old Tyler, one-year-old Logan and new-born Austin. I love playing, watching, and talking sports (especially football and baseball). I golf as much as possible and spend lots of time with my family.
Mynda Pull, Office Manager
Hello Everyone! I am a mother to three awesome children! Nicholas, Tyler, and Abbie. We
moved to Wisconsin from Michigan about 3 years ago to be closer to my family. Before I came to be at Pres House, I worked primarily in charter schools and taught various forms of dance. I have a passion for education and helping others, so Pres House is a great place for me to be! I am blessed to be a part of the Pres House community. Please stop by my office when you are in the building and say hello. I can’t wait to meet you!
Thomas Schwei, Chief Financial Officer