Pastor Karl Ziegler was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was baptized in at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. In 1963, his family moved to Omaha. He was confirmed at King of Kings Lutheran Church in May of 1973. He is a 1977 graduate of Omaha's Westside High School. Pastor Ziegler attended Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia College in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He also holds a Master's degree in Counseling from Creighton University, and a colloquy certificate from Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pastor Ziegler has served in the following parishes: DCE Internship and DCE/Teacher from 1980 -1983 at Redeemer - Denver; DCE at Divine Shepherd Omaha from 1983 - 1992; Vicarage and Associate Pastor from 1993 - 1997 at Emmanuel - York; and Pastor from 1997 - 2002 at Zion - Worms.

Pastor Ziegler is married to the former Mary Beth Heider of Grand Island, Nebraska. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Contact Pastor Ziegler at: PKZ@1st-Lutheran.org

Pastor Joshua (Josh) Mork was raised in a Lutheran household. He felt a calling towards God’s ministry around the age of 6, being greatly influenced by his grandfather who also served as a pastor. As a teenager, he involved himself in the church by singing in the adult choir and participating in youth led church services. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. There, in 2016, he received a degree in History and Classical Studies, minoring in Religion with an emphasis in Greek. 

Pastor Josh is a people-person. Meeting God’s people and serving them bring him great joy. He loves to teach about God’s Word and the history of how God has been with His people through the ages. He is especially looking forward to learning from God’s people. From experience, he knows that God’s people are wonderful and wise and can teach him a lot. Most of all, Josh wants to build a community where he serves. He believes community is powerful; when God’s people work together, they can accomplish great things! 

Outside of his church life, Josh enjoys being outdoors. He has many fond memories of his time in the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle Scout rank in 2010. He enjoys a good game of soccer and volleyball. Josh also enjoys being inside. He and his wife, Samantha, greatly enjoy sitting down and playing board games together and with others. They were married on May 18th, 2019.

Contact Pastor Josh at: pastorjosh@1st-lutheran.org

David Ricke was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Augie and Bonnie Ricke.  He was baptized at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Des Moines.  He attended elementary school in Mankato, Minnesota, and was confirmed in 1968, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mankato.  His family moved to Omaha, NE, where he attended high school and graduated from Millard High School in May 1972.   Dave went to Concordia College in Seward, NE, and graduated in May 1977, with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and also with a Director of Christian Education (DCE) certification. 

Dave has served in the following parishes:  First Lutheran Church, Papillion, NE (DCE Internship and DCE 1976-79), Grace Lutheran Church, Arlington, TX (DCE 1979-85), Trinity Lutheran Church, Lexington, NE (DCE 1985-90),  Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE (DCE 1994-2007), and came full-circle back to First Lutheran in September, 2007.

Dave married Debra Luetjens of Denison, IA, on August 16, 1975.  They are blessed with two daughters.  Megan and her husband Don live in Phoenix, AZ, and Elissa and her husband Dan live in Seward, NE.

Contact Dave at: dcedave@1st-Lutheran.org

Brady Laib hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his parents and siblings still reside. He was baptized and confirmed his faith at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. He attended Concordia University Nebraska majoring in Theology and Christian Educational Leadership with a DCE certification. He arrived at First Lutheran in June 2016 and served as a DCE Intern for a year before being called as a DCE officially in July 2017. Brady works mainly in the areas of Youth, Children's, and Family Ministry. 

Brady is married to Anne Buchholz of Gillett, Wisconsin, and together they two children.

Contact Brady at: dce.brady@1st-lutheran.org

Michelle Clark grew up in Papillion, NE. She attended Papillion-LaVista High School (go Monarchs!), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Baylor University. After receiving an undergrad history degree and a museum studies master’s degree, she came back to the Omaha area and has worked at the Union Pacific Museum and Buffett Middle School. Now, she is happy to have the role of church secretary at First Lutheran Church, where she has been a member since the age of 2.

Michelle is a lover of making quilts, crocheting, cross stitching, and reading. She also enjoys spending time with her family, including the family beagle (who loves to visit her at work).

Contact Michelle at: Michelle.clark@1st-Lutheran.org