Meet the Staff
Pastor Steve & Nancy Aleksuk
Position:
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."
Ryan & Jen Crouse
Position:
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.
Daniel Will
Position:
Director of Children's Ministry
Daniel Will is Director of Children's Ministry and oversees the toddlers through age 11. Daniel is the oldest of 14 children and grew up in a very committed Christian home in Wisconsin. He is currently finishing up his degree in accounting and has also taken classes at North Central University. Daniel is attending classes and working full-time at Metro State.
Amanda Kistler
Position:
Ministry Coordinator, Children’s Ministry
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!
Dalon Jenssen
Position:
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.
Charlie Kistler
Position:
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!
Jenna Belanger
Position:
Outreach / Event 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 welcomed their 1st child, Lucas, in December of 2009 and can’t wait to raise him up in the ministries at 3 Degrees. Jenna’s inspiration has always come from Proverbs 21:13, “If you fail to hear the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard. ”
John Homer
Position:
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.
Rick Narvaez
Position:
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 (3 Degrees Concerts) and overall marketing for 3 Degrees Ministries. Rick resides in Shakopee, MN with his wife Jessica and their two children, Jaxson and Elanor.
Nye von Hunke
Position:
Graphic Design, Web Design, Webmaster, Marketing and Promotion
Nye came to 3 Degrees during the transition from the old location to downtown in October of 2003. First serving as a volunteer in security, then in 2006 began volunteering doing supplemental graphic design and managing the production team till 2008 when he was brought on full time to do graphic and web design, webmaster, marketing and promotion. Self taught and always trying to further his knowledge in this career and splitting his time between a home in Minneapolis and Honolulu Hawaii he strives to bring the excellence and love from 3 Degrees to everyone he encounters and the other ministries he’s involved with. He firmly believes 3 Degrees is the premier Christian event venue and enjoys daily working to get more people through the doors of 3 Degrees to experience God in a way they never have.
Sonny Mykkanen
Position:
Church Security
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 year. 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.
Todd Bergren
Position:
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.
Ben Melby
Position:
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.
Ushers
Our friendly and courteous ushers are here to help you with seating or any questions you may have as well as aid in receiving tithes and offerings and distribute communion elements on those days.
Church Greeter
