Staff & Interns
Gabe Kasper
Lead Pastor
Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is glad to be back in Michigan as the Lead 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 MDiv at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and an MPhil from Eastern Michigan University. 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!
Amy Duncan
Director of Worship and Outreach
Amy has served as a worship leader for nine years before joining ULC’s staff in October 2023. Originally from Flint, she’s lived in Brighton since 2015. She is married to the amazing Pastor Randy Duncan (CUAA campus pastor) and they have 6 kids that are all gifts! In her spare time she’s likely pulling someone tubing on the lake or playing worship music. She’s also very involved in leading the student worship teams for Daily Chapel at Concordia University Ann Arbor, working with students to help them serve by sharing their gifts in the church.
Amy primarily works with ULC’s music ministry, coordinating the Sunday worship and music volunteers. Amy also assists with student ministry and oversees ULC’s outreach including the church’s connection to Kingdom Partners and other serving opportunities.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Amy about how to do a power slide and why she loves them so much!
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!
Norma Polk
Director of International Student Ministry
The 7th child of 8, Norma Polk grew up in Indonesia in a Muslim family. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) where she met her husband Thad Polk. Two weeks before she started at CMU she was introduced to Jesus. She got involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship where she was discipled and had her first experience with International Student Ministry.
She moved to Ann Arbor in 1996 and got involved in International Ministry. She entered the Deaconess training program at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 2009 and became a Deaconess at Cross and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti in 2013.
Norma’s passion is to reach out to others, especially students, with Jesus’ love and saving grace.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Norma about designing sets and costumes for local theater programs!
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.
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.
Madi Carter
Executive Ministry Officer
Madi is a senior at UofM majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Mandarin. She is detail oriented, flexible/team player, and independent. At ULC, Madi is a part of the campus minsitry team and helps with communication and planning of ULC student events, assists with ULC’s presence on UofM’s campus, helps lead high school bible study on Sunday mornings and youth group on Sunday evenings, assists with livestream, and leads ULC’s prison ministry. In her limited free time, you can find her watching TV and movies with her friends or trying a new restaurant in Ann Arbor.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Madi about her experience living on a horse farm her whole life. Or ask her why The Godfather is her favorite movie of all time!
Missional Leadership Institute
MLI interns are college students in the Ann Arbor area who apply to be a part of year-long, paid internship at ULC. Interns work alongside the staff to assist with outreach, peer-to-peer ministry, resident ministry, and provide support for operations, administrative tasks, and Sunday mornings worship. Interns are paired with a staff mentor, a spiritual mentor, and get experience working alongside one another to serve ULC’s mission of mobilizing generations to join Jesus on his mission.
Introducing the 2023-24 MLI interns!
Missional Leadership Institute
Amanda Fogo
MLI Intern
Amanda is a sophomore at Concordia University Ann Arbor studying elementary education and special education. She enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, going on vacations, being outside, and hanging out at ULC. She did gymnastics for 16 years! Along with intern Alison, she’s also a member of the CUAA cross country and track and field teams.
As an intern at ULC, Amanda helps with student ministry and student events, assists with Middle School Bible Study, is the lead intern coordinator for events and initiatives benefitting ULC’s Kingdom Partner Family of God, and supports the planning of Pubology.
“I am most excited to be an intern because I want to build relationships with students and residents who share the same faith as I do. I want to be able to share the gospel to those around me, and be able to support those who may need extra help. I hope to build and foster genuine relationships with the people I cross paths with at ULC and help grow the church to bigger and better things!
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Amanda anything about coffee!
Alison Doerr
MLI Intern
Alison is a sophomore at Concordia University Ann Arbor studying nursing. She’s from Grand Haven, Michigan, loves spending time outside in nature and doing adventurous things. Alison once ran a marathon and has a goal to complete an ultra marathon (100 miles) when she’s older. She’s currently a member of the cross country and track and field teams at CUAA.
As an intern at ULC, Alison helps with student ministry and student events, assists with Kids Ministry and Sunday School on Sunday mornings, is the lead coordinator for events and initiatives benefitting ULC’s Kingdom Partner Hope Clinic, and supports ULC communications.
“What excites me most about being a MLI is that I get the opportunity to not only grow my faith, but also grow new connections throughout the ULC community. I felt at home at ULC since day one and being able to work with the staff is super exciting. I know that I am going to learn so much from each one of them. I want to help continue to grow the student group this year.”
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Alison how her run went today!
Matthew Jackson
MLI Intern
Matthew is a sophomore at Concordia University Ann Arbor. From Mishawaka, Indiana, Matthew is studying Family Life Ministry with a minor in Psychology. When he’s not working, studying, or in class, Matthew enjoys creative writing, photography, and watching YouTube. He’s also an amusement park connoisseur, as he’s visited 16 different amusement parks and ridden over 120 roller coasters.
As an intern at ULC, Matthew helps with student ministry and student events, assists with Kids Ministry and Sunday School, and helps lead hospitality and meals at All Student Gatherings. Matthew is also the lead coordinator for events and initiatives benefitting ULC’s Kingdom Partner HouseN2Home.
“I like being able to get some real world experience and working in a church, as it will prepare me for my future career in ministry and church work.”
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Matthew about his model train collection!
Zach Marotzke
MLI Intern
Zach is a senior at University of Michigan studying economics and history. Zach is originally from Saginaw, Michigan, and enjoys sports—especially playing on his intramural flag football team—and playing video games when he has free time. Zach has been to all of the lower 48 states in the United States. He and his family collect magnets on their trips and put them on their refridgerator.
As an intern at ULC, Zach plays a large role in student ministry and student events, as well as ULC’s presence on University of Michigan’s campus. You can find Zach in the Student Section (green table cloths) in the community room on Sunday mornings.
“I am excited to be able to help people find out about ULC, so they can experience this awesome community and come closer to Jesus like I have.”
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Zach about Michigan football or engage him in a historical discussion!