SENIOR PASTOR

After graduating from the University of Nebraska with a BA in Integrated Studies in 1984, Pastor Winter attended and graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1988. His first call was to Salem Lutheran Church of Rosehill, in Tomball, Texas. There he met and married Jami Durrett in 1990.  They have two children, Mary and Chase.

The Winters enjoy reading, cooking together, road trips, entertaining, and spending time with their family (parents and siblings in Colorado and Texas, Mary and her husband, David, and Chase, his wife, Krista, and their son, Hudson, in Omaha, Nebraska.

DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS & SMALL GROUPS

Jeff spent the first half of his life in the great states of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. God used a high school small group to direct his life. After receiving his ministry degree and diploma, Jeff spent seven years ministering in sunny St. Pete, Florida, and five years in DeWitt, Iowa. Peoria has been his home ever since.

It gives Jeff great joy to help others experience the richness of God’s Word, Christian community and purpose at Redeemer. He also serves Christ in the East Bluff as a hobby. Jeff hangs out with friends, watches sports, and reads for fun. He has a black cat with a white throat named Davy Crockett. Cat goes by “Preacher.”

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY

Scott was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and joined the Redeemer staff in 1996. Through his work, he supports people using their musical talents to praise God and enjoys watching them discover gifts they didn't know they had.

Scott and his wife, Lorraine, have three children – Roxanne, Vincent, and Trisha. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and consuming mass quantities of vintage Dr. Who.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY COORDINATOR

Jennifer grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from Concordia University Chicago. She came to Redeemer in 2005 as the Director of Children’s Ministry. In 2011 she became a stay-at-home mom but returned to Children’s Ministry at Redeemer 10 years later.   

Jennifer is married to Jon and they have three children, Nathan, Lydia, and Bethany. They love to hike, bike, play board games and take their RV out for adventures. Jennifer also enjoys butterfly gardening, reading, and vacation planning. 

DCE INTERN

Scott is currently completing his DCE internship at Redeemer Lutheran Church as part of his studies at Concordia University Chicago. He has a heart for sharing the love of Jesus with others and is excited to bring that passion to Redeemer! 

He recently married his wife Amanda Treptow who works at Concordia Lutheran School as a teacher. In his free time, Scott loves to play the guitar, go disc golfing, and play a variety of board games.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

ACCOUNTANT

Donna is a lifelong resident of Illinois. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in accounting, she held various accounting and regulatory positions in public accounting, manufacturing, education, and banking/lending.

Donna has two adult children: a son in Iowa and a daughter in Michigan. She enjoys reading, cooking, puzzles, and taking long long walks. Her favorite “hobby” is going out to eat with friends.

COMMUNICATIONS

A Peoria native, Katie graduated from Illinois State with a degree in music after spending five years with the Big Red Marching Machine. She came to Redeemer in 2008, and would describe her job as "making things pretty".

In her spare time, she enjoys going to estate sales, working on side businesses, thinking about how awesome the 80s were, and playing Nintendo.

PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE DIRECTOR

Sue has a passion for children and has been in the early childhood field for more that 20 years before coming to Redeemer in 2017.

She and her husband Tom and have three children, five granddaughters, and two dogs.  Sue enjoys spending time with her family, going on road trips, reading, and relaxing.

BUILDING & GROUNDS

Jeff has been with Redeemer since 1999, maintaining the building and grounds, assisting pastors and staff, and even giving an occasional hug when needed.

Jeff enjoys working at Redeemer because no two days are alike, there is always a challenge, and he gets to do "a quiet ministry". According to urban legend, he sleeps on a cot in the back room. (How else could he do all he does?)

When he has some free time, he enjoys bike riding and doing genealogy research with his wife, Donna.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Johanna joined us in 2019, bringing with her extensive experience as a church administrative assistant. She welcomes visitors with a smile, and enjoys working with the people who radiate God’s love.

When she’s not at Redeemer, Johanna enjoys spending time with her five children (ages 11-30), baking (although, since she also likes to eat what she bakes, she does not do that often), and reading Harry Potter and Percy Jackson (even when her kids roll their eyes at her).

DIRECTOR OF CARE MINISTRY

Connie came to Redeemer to work in Care Ministry after retiring from Peoria Public Schools in 2024.  She has been a member of Redeemer since 2011 and is enjoying getting to know staff and other members of our church community that come and go throughout the days.

Her greatest joy is spending time with her daughter and granddaughters.  Reading is a favorite past time as well and spending time with a wonderful group of friends she has been blessed with.  

It is her goal to help as many people as possible and show them God's love through that help.

CARE MINISTRY ASSISTANT

Angie came to Redeemer in 2018. She tries to encourage and bless those who come through the doors with prayer, and sometimes, food. Her favorite part of working at Redeemer is the people she meets and the stories she hears.

When she's not working, Angie enjoys mud volleyball and free samples at the grocery store.

ASSISTANT PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Louisa received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University Chicago and has taught 2-4 year old children for over 20 years. She and her husband David have been married for 30 years and have six children. 

Louisa lives on her family’s farm, and in her spare time enjoys  traveling, reading, gardening, crocheting, and going for walks.