Upper Room Staff

Greetings, I’m Laura. I was born and raised in Edina, and started attending CPC when I was in middle school. I have been attending Upper Room since the beginning and just became the Babes Coordinator in the summer of 2008! After graduating from Edina in 2003, I attended Providence College where I majored in Social Work and minored in Theology.  In 2008 I graduated from the University of Minnesota with my Masters in Social Work with an emphasis on adult mental health. When I am not playing with the Babes, I enjoy my full-time at The Emily Program doing individual and group therapy with people who struggle with eating disorders. When I am not working I love to spend as much time as I can with my friends and family, enjoying the great outdoors, and eating at new restaurants!

Hi, Kathy here. I am a life long resident of MN, growing up in Bloomington and graduating from University of Minnesota with a degree in Youth and Family Studies. Prior to joining the UR staff I was a High School counselor where I had the chance to walk alongside students and families who were in crisis or in rough life circumstance. To reach out in love when someone is hurting, I consider a privilege. Married to Jeff, we are enjoying this season of having the house to ourselves as our 2 amazing kids are off exploring who God created them to be. Alli has accepted an invitation to join the Peace Corps teaching on HIV/AIDS prevention in Tanzania. Kip is off on multiple adventures from being a part of YWAM in Belize, Thailand and Rwanda, to a Student Minsitry internship. I love to be with people - walking, especially if the dog can come; lattes, skim - 1/2 vanilla; eating, anything high in carbs; movies, as long as we can discuss it after; hanging out, fireside in winter, starboard side in summer.

Hey, my name is Stephen Krueger and I am currently a senior at Bethel University. I will be receiving my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth Ministry with minors in Biblical & Theological Studies and Communication. I have been attending Upper Room off and on since the fall of 2005 and am very excited to officially join this community. I have interned with the Kids Ministries at Christ Presbyterian Church for the last two summers and have recently been working with the Student Ministry there. I absolutely love working with students of all ages and watching the way that God works in their lives. My passion is building relationships that are God honoring and Christ centered both inside my place of ministry and out. Recently I have been learning a lot about children and youth from a developmental perspective and it excites me to be able to work that knowledge into spiritual development. In my spare time I enjoy all types of sports, but baseball is by far my favorite. I like to be outside running, playing volleyball, rollerblading, playing tennis, throwing a Frisbee, etc.

Hello, my name is Joe McDonald and I am an Associate Pastor with the Upper Room. I take care of the operations side of our community and also enjoy officiating weddings and baptisms of UR community members. I have been on staff with Upper Room for 5 years, not including a 2 year break when I moved back to my hometown of Philadelphia for a bit. My wife Patty and I have two children—Mary and Joe Joe. I’m supposed to tell you what I like do in my spare time but with two young children, I’m not sure what spare time is. After we put the kids to bed each night, I like to spend my time hanging out with Patty, reading, watching movies or sleeping. I love this community and am excited to help people experience the grace of God and love of Jesus Christ within a community of people that lives life together “in the rhythm of Jesus.”

My name is Katie Sanders and I joined the UR Staff in February of 2006 to serve as the Director of UR Kids. Since the start of UR Kids I have learned a few important things about myself. The first is I love studying and celebrating the ways in which kids are formed spiritually. I think we have a lot to learn from the ways they receive Jesus. I also discovered I am also extremely passionate about helping families figure out how to travel on this journey of faith together. A few things about me... I grew up in Florida but have found Minnesota feels more and more like home. I love spending time with friends and family (especially my two adorable nephews). I also love yoga, reading, cooking, karaoke, antiques, sunshine, and polka-dots.

Hi, I'm Betty. I was born in California but have called Minnesota home since I was a little kid. (Proud to say I graduated from Jefferson H.S.--along with my 4 siblings) I started as a volunteer for UR Kids the summer of 2006 and also worked with CPC Kids for 2.5 years. I came on staff as an intern in the summer of 2007 and was hired as Tots Coordinator that fall. I enjoy being creative and doing photography. I also love to cook and am constantly snacking--although I wish I were more open to trying new foods. Exploring the outdoors is always fun...and picnics in the summer are a must! There are so many great people I've met in our community and it excites me to meet the rest of you...