Our Pastors
Pastor David Echelbarger
Pastor David L. Echelbarger is a graduate of Carthage College and the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He also has a second master’s degree in Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology. Pastor Dave is senior pastor with responsibilities in church administration, personnel, stewardship, adult education, property and preaching. He has a vital interest in Christian Education and has in the past been active in church-wide educational focuses. His interest in writing has expressed itself in a variety of ways including several publications and the writing of a weekly newspaper column for nearly twenty years. Pastor Dave loves parish ministry, especially working with people, developing and teaching adult educational programs and preaching. He is an avid outdoors person, a runner, and has a variety of interests, including the roasting of coffee for church. Pastor Dave is in love with the people of Mount Pleasant Church – the vitality of their faith, the kindness they express, their outreach to others, and their eagerness to learn.
Pastor Christine Thomas-Echelbarger
Pastor Christine Thomas-Echelbarger graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Pastor Christine is senior pastor with special responsibilities for Worship and Music, Outreach, Parish Activities, and Christian Education. Pastor Christine loves to work with the people of the church, of all ages. She loves watching young people grow and develop and to help equip their parents with faith development and parenting skills. She has special competency in worship, its history, planning, rubrics, and practice. Besides loving to be a mother, Pastor Christine thoroughly enjoys hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing and gardening.
When Dave and Christine were married they perceived that they were called to serve God together as a pastoral team in ministry. They then entered seminary and have served as a pastoral team ever since. Mount Pleasant is their fourth congregation. They have two adult children both of whom are married. They love being part of this congregation’s life and mission.
Pastor Kara Baylor
Pastor Kara Baylor is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah Iowa, and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Pastor Kara has special responsibility for social ministry, senior high school youth, and confirmation at MPLC. Pastor Kara loves “the light bulb moments, when faith just beams from a young person and they make the connection of their role in the family of God.” She has passion for helping youth and adults alike discover the part they play in making up the body of Christ for a common mission through the church community. Kara is a runner, enjoys scrapbooking, hiking, biking, reading, swimming and water parks! She is married and has two children.
