Staff & Interns
Gabe Kasper
Lead Pastor
Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers. He and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Pastor Gabe to give you his starting 11 for the 2026 World Cup!
Marcus Lane
Campus Pastor
Marcus grew up west of the Twin Cities in Waconia, Minnesota. Before joining the staff at ULC in the fall of 2019, he spent four years serving as a pastor in Seattle, WA. In addition to preaching, teaching, and pastoral care duties, Marcus serves the mission of ULC by leading our campus outreach efforts to the University of Michigan. Outside of his work, Marcus enjoys watching the NBA, all things hip hop, and is happy to share his love of sneakers with anyone willing to listen. Marcus and his wife Vanessa live here in Ann Arbor with their two kids Della and Jude.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Pastor Marcus about anything related to the NBA.
Marcus Lane
Campus Pastor
Marcus grew up west of the Twin Cities in Waconia, Minnesota. Before joining the staff at ULC in the fall of 2019, he spent four years serving as a pastor in Seattle, WA. In addition to preaching, teaching, and pastoral care duties, Marcus serves the mission of ULC by leading our campus outreach efforts to the University of Michigan. Outside of his work, Marcus enjoys watching the NBA, all things hip hop, and is happy to share his love of sneakers with anyone willing to listen. Marcus and his wife Vanessa live here in Ann Arbor with their two kids Della and Jude.
Chris Troxel
Church Plant Pastor for Emmaus Lutheran Church
Chris grew up in Quincy, Illinois. To prep him for pastoring at ULC, God gave Chris and his family many great and diverse experiences in many different places. He’s on ULC staff as a church planter, working with the team here in partnership with another church to plant Emmaus Lutheran Church in downtown Ann Arbor. Chris attended Concordia University Nebraska, and later went to Concordia Seminary St. Louis. Chris enjoys reading, gaming, movies, and most things outdoors. Chris and his wife Lisa have three amazing kids.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Chris about the first superhero, or any lore related to Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.
Hannah Maxey
Director of Operations
Hannah grew up learning about God’s grace and love at a nearby Lutheran Church. She has been coming to ULC since her college days at Eastern Michigan University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology with a minor in business. After working for four years as a Child Life Specialist at CS Mott Children’s hospital, she transitioned to work at ULC. When not working, she enjoys adventuring with her husband, two daughters, and their bear-like dog.
Hannah is the Director of Operations and oversees ULC facilities/rentals, business aspects, and everything else in between.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Hannah to talk about her crafting addiction!
Hannah Maxey
Director of Operations
Hannah grew up learning about God’s grace and love at a nearby Lutheran Church. She has been coming to ULC since her college days at Eastern Michigan University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology with a minor in business. After working for four years as a Child Life Specialist at CS Mott Children’s hospital, she transitioned to work at ULC. When not working, she enjoys adventuring with her husband, two daughters, and their bear-like dog.
Hannah is the Director of Operations and oversees ULC facilities/rentals, business aspects, and everything else in between.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Hannah to talk about her crafting addiction!
Rachel Thoms
Director of Communication & Production
Rachel is passionate about bringing people together through the art of communicating. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, earned her B.A. in Communication from Concordia University Texas, and moved to Michigan in 2013, joining the strategic communications team at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Rachel joined ULC’s staff in February 2022 and serves the mission through overseeing worship gathering livestreaming, social media, ULC’s website, print and digial communications, and other general communications needs.
Outside of ULC, she enjoys interior decorating, reading, gardening, cheering on Concordia University Ann Arbor sports teams, visiting her parents and siblings, and hanging out with her husband, Kyle, and her handsome baby boy, Elliot.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Rachel about thrift-shopping and decorating your home secondhand!
Hannah Tschetter
Manager of The Common Cup
Hannah was born in Evansville, Indiana but grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. She went to a local college before moving to Haiti when she was 21. She lived in Haiti for two and a half years where she worked as an English teacher at a ministry called God’s Littlest Angels. After leaving Haiti, Hannah moved to Budpaest, Hungary where she worked for a year as a first-grade assistant teacher at The International Christian School of Budapest. Hannah became involved in The Common Cup ministry as a barista in the fall of 2021 and became manager at the beginning of 2022. She is focused on the daily operations as well as exploring ways to grow the ministry of The Common Cup.
Hannah loves to travel, read novels (her favorite is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah), and spend time with her family and dog, Fonzie. She loves chatting with people at The Common Cup—introduce yourself when you see her!
☕ Need a conversation starter? Share with Hannah a new drink idea for The Common Cup!
Hannah Tschetter
Manager of The Common Cup
Hannah was born in Evansville, Indiana but grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. She went to a local college before moving to Haiti when she was 21. She lived in Haiti for two and a half years where she worked as an English teacher at a ministry called God’s Littlest Angels. After leaving Haiti, Hannah moved to Budpaest, Hungary where she worked for a year as a first-grade assistant teacher at The International Christian School of Budapest. Hannah became involved in The Common Cup ministry as a barista in the fall of 2021 and became manager at the beginning of 2022. She is focused on the daily operations as well as exploring ways to grow the ministry of The Common Cup.
Hannah loves to travel, read novels (her favorite is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah), and spend time with her family and dog, Fonzie. She loves chatting with people at The Common Cup—introduce yourself when you see her!
☕ Need a conversation starter? Share with Hannah a new drink idea for The Common Cup!
Charissa Hasper
Director of Worship Arts
Charissa is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Music Education. She wants to eventually teach middle/high school choir. Charissa loves sweaters, hot beverages, and laughter. In her free time, you can probably find her working out, watching movies/tv shows, or talking very loudly somewhere.
Charissa primarily works with ULC’s music—she leads weekly worship on Sunday and at All Student Gathering. She also plans and coordinates student events, retreats, and small activities.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Charissa what shows she’s watching or books she’s reading!
Nate Zuellig
Worship Assistant & Artist in Residence
Nate is from Ypsilanti and has lived there his whole life. He earned his undegraduate degree in music education from Eastern Michigan University. He regularly practices writing music and poetry, and now gets to do that here, at ULC! His favorite instrument is the drums.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Nate about the best parks around Ann Arbor!
Nate Zuellig
Worship Assistant & Artist in Residence
Nate is from Ypsilanti and has lived there his whole life. He earned his undegraduate degree in music education from Eastern Michigan University. He regularly practices writing music and poetry, and now gets to do that here, at ULC! His favorite instrument is the drums.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Nate about the best parks around Ann Arbor!
Chris Cornell
Ministry Intern
Chris grew up in Brighton, Michigan. He studied Worship Arts and jazz guitar performance at Grace Christian University before completing an Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has designed and taught high school biblical studies courses at Plymouth Christian Academy for the last four years. Before that, he worked at Victor’s Home Solutions in construction administration and management. Chris likes studying theology as well as philosophy and is into many types of art, but mainly freestyle rapping about Bible topics. He also enjoys exploring new cooking recipes and reading novels with his amazing wife Carrie, and also taking their dog Pepper for walks.
As a Ministry Intern, Chris serves by leading a discipleship group, teaching Bible Study, leading ULC’s prayer team, and assisting in worship.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Chris how the overlap between art and theology is therapeutic.