Senior Pastors
Pastors Steve and Nancy Aleksuk have overseen the ministries of 3 Degrees, formerly known as The New Union, since 1992. They met as volunteers when the ministry first opened and were married in 1990. Prior to entering the ministry, Steve was a Printed Circuit Board Designer and Nancy was a Finance Manager for a local car dealership. Nancy helped raise Steve's two daughters and they now have 6 grandchildren, two of whom lived with Steve and Nancy full-time for 5 years.
If we could sum up our heart for our congregation, it would be found in Colossians 1:9 "that you would be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
Associate Pastors, Pastoral Care
Pastors Gene and Nancy Johnson have been serving in the ministry since 2001 and have held a variety of positions. They currently oversee Pastoral Care which includes a marriage growth group, Bible studies, prayer, and hospital visitation. They are most excited about Praise & Worship, Prayer and that fact that 3 degrees preaches the truth in a way that creates an atmosphere of freedom – a freedom that allows people to be exactly who God called them to be. Gene and Nancy were married in November of 1976 and have 3 grown children and two grandchildren. Gene and Nancy also own the “Osseo Paint and Décor” store, a business they have owned and operated since 1980.
Associate Minister, Board Member
Dalon Janssen sits on the Board of Directors of 3 Degrees Ministries. He grew up in Iowa and moved to Minneapolis after graduation. He began volunteering for this ministry in 1989 and has served in many different capacities over the years. Dalon is a successful businessman as well as a gifted Bible teacher. He is a favorite among the congregation and often fills in for Pastors Steve and Nancy when they are gone.
Youth Pastor and Worship Leader
Youth Pastor Ryan and Worship Leader Jen Crouse launched Ignite Youth Ministry in July 2007. Jen began volunteering in 2001 and Ryan joined her after they were married in Oct. 2006. Both Ryan and Jen graduated from North Central University: Ryan with a degree in Pastoral Studies and Jen with a degree in Urban Studies. Ryan grew up in Hutchinson MN and currently works for Target as an Associate Operations Analyst. Jen is originally from Michigan and works for Minneapolis Public Schools as a case manager for teen moms who choose to stay in school. Their passion for every youth is that they would experience the presence of God, be able to explain what they believe and to see them grow into spiritual champions in every area of their life.
Jen is gifted in music and leads Praise & Worship.
Children's Ministry Director
G.L.O.W. (Giving Little Ones the Word)
B.L.A.S.T. (Boldly Living Awesome Spiritual Truths)
Cindi Bridges is Director of Children's Ministry and oversees the toddlers through age 11. Cindi is currently finishing up her Masters
Degree in Education and teaches elementary age students at her home-based education center, Bridges to Creative Learning. Cindi and her husband Mark moved from Baltimore to Minneapolis in 1999 and have served here ever since. Cindi's heart is that each child at 3 Degrees would know God is real in their lives and that they would experience Him in a personal way. We believe in challenging them with the deep truths of God's Word and watching them grow spirit, soul and body.
Outreach and Small Groups Coordinator
Jenna started serving at 3 Degrees after moving back to the area from Seattle in 2005. As with most ministries, she has served a variety of positions since then. Most currently, she coordinates our church outreaches, helps to organize the small groups, and works to plan fun activities in hopes of creating a welcoming family atmosphere at 3 Degrees. An organizer at heart, Jenna loves to lend a hand in coordinating any event that we are hosting at 3 Degrees. “God’s all about the details!” Jenna resides in Columbia Heights with her husband Ken. They are excited to welcome their 1st child in Dec of 2009 and can’t wait to raise him/her up in the ministries at 3 Degrees. Jenna’s inspiration has always come from Prov 17:21, “If you fail to hear the cry of the poor, you will cry out & not be heard.”
Director of Evangelism
Charlie Kistler has been the Director of Evangelism since March 2007. He became a Christian in 1974 but it wasn’t until receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit that he developed a passion to share the Gospel with people he comes in contact with. Charlie meets for prayer every Thursday evening before taking a team out onto the streets of downtown Minneapolis. His approach is to share the love of God and is never antagonistic. God is always faithful to lead them to the right people at the right time! Charlie and his wife Carol have two grown children and live in Brooklyn Park. He lives by the scripture: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." To Charlie, that includes starting in our own back yard!
Ministry Coordinator
Amanda Kistler showed up to help clean during the construction phase of 3 Degrees in 2003 and never left. She joined the full-time staff as our Administrative Assistant in 2005 and also oversees ticketing for all national shows. Amanda helps to coordinate our volunteer staff, maintains the data bases, serves in the café and children’s ministry and in general keeps the office running smoothly. She definitely prefers to serve in the background and a little known fact: she hates cameras!
Director of Finances, Board Member
John Homer sits on the Board of Directors as Secretary and is also the Director of Finances for 3 Degrees. John started serving in 1995 originally as part of the security team as well as faithfully attending prayer groups. He is originally from Oregon and currently lives in downtown Minneapolis. John retired in December, 2008 and now volunteers his time to the ministry full-time; a desire he’s had for many years.
Church Security/Catering
Sonny Mykkanen oversees church security as well as all construction projects and literally showed up on day 1 of the ministry in 1989. Sonny is an 18 yr. veteran of the Anoka Co. Sheriff’s Reserve and was their senior officer in charge of the unit, responding to all emergencies and overseeing the dive team. Sonny owns Mykkanen Construction and was the General Contractor for the remodel on our 2nd location as well as the current downtown location. Sonny and his wife have 2 grown children and 2 granddaughters that they love to spend free time with.
Annette Mykkanen is our cook extraordinaire and handles the majority of our catering. She is also a gifted cake decorator and has done too many wedding cakes over the years to count. She has also passed on her culinary skills through a small group: Cooking with Annette. Classes are scheduled once a month at 3 Degrees as her time permits.
Director of Booking and Marketing
Rick first connected with the ministry while he was working at the Target Center directing the Minnesota Timberwolves Christian Community Program (1999-2007). During his time there, 3 Degrees Ministries and the Timberwolves partnered on a number of Faith & Family Night events. He came on board as a full-time staff member of 3 Degrees in January 2007 and oversees the concert ministry and overall marketing for 3 Degrees. Rick’s wife, Jessica, volunteers in Children’s Ministry. They welcomed their first child, Jaxson, in October 2008.
Music Director
Todd Bergren has been involved with the ministry since 1989 – first as a guitar player in several Christian bands and later as lead guitar for 3 Degrees church. He has been the Music Director since 2004. Todd and his wife Rebecca own and operate The Riff Factory music schools in Roseville and Maple Grove. They have 3 children.
Event Manager
Melissa Enger joined the staff of 3 Degrees in 2008 as Event Manager. She is a graduate of CrownCollege with a degree in Communications and Christian Studies. Melissa is passionate about developing ministry partnerships and utilizing our facility to it’s fullest to further the Kingdom of God. Melissa and her husband Andy also oversee our Sunday lunches that are served after the service 3 times per month. Melissa enjoys spending time with Andy’s 3 kids and is helping to raise 2 daughters full-time.
Head of Security
Andrew Hernandez was 14 yrs old when he began serving in 2000. His dad, a Marine, was transferred from California and when they were transferred again 4 years later, Andrew stayed behind to remain a part of 3 Degrees. Andrew is in charge of Concert Security as well as the facilities. His true passion, however, is Praise & Worship and knowing God’s presence. He is a vital aspect of the 3 Degrees worship band, playing the keyboard. Andrew will graduate from Northwestern College in 2010 with a degree in Bible Studies.
Head Sound Engineer/Production Manager
Ben Melby is 3 Degrees Production Manager and has been serving since 2001. Like many of the staff, Ben is a gifted “jack of all trades” and is vital to keeping all of the different electronic components of the ministry functioning. Ben is originally from South Dakota but prefers the “big city” of Minneapolis.
Graphic Design, Web Design, Marketing and Promotion
I’d just rededicated my life to God and was looking for ways to fill my life with good things. I was at Living Word Christian Center and saw a table where you could sign up to volunteer at the New Union. So I signed up and actually went to the last volunteer meeting at the old New Union location then started doing security the 1st day we were open downtown. I stuck around long enough and they gave me a job. lol
"By His stripes we are healed!" Isaiah 53:5
My Grandpa Delbert who is the strongest, wisest, most caring person I’ll ever know.
Watch movies, grill with friends and go to shows.
I actually put out a hip hop cd when I was younger. Also I used to be an really good aggressive inline skater and believe one day I'll return to it.