Meet the Staff

  • Pastor Kurt Jensen

    Lead Pastor

    Kurt Jensen serves as Lead Pastor at Immanuel. He grew up in Iowa and attended Luther College in Decorah and Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He recently completed a Doctor of Ministry degree through Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Before coming to Immanuel, Pastor Kurt served two churches in Michigan, where he met his wife Sarah. Sarah is a secretary at Roland-Story High School. They have two kids, Cassidy and Travis. Pastor Kurt and his family came to Story City in 2011. Kurt served as Associate Pastor with Senior Pastor Stephen Anenson until Pastor Anenson's retirement in October 2016. In 2018, the congregation voted to make Pastor Kurt Immanuel's Lead Pastor and begin searching for a new Associate Pastor. Email Pastor Kurt

  • Milianna Carlson

    Church Office Secretary

    Milianna is a Story City native, and graduated from UNI in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a minor in Business Concepts. She teaches piano lessons, serves as choir accompanist at Grace United Methodist Church, and also plays at Harvest E-Free. During Scandinavian Days, she acts as lead pianist for Judge Story's annual musical. Milianna enjoys living life in Story City with her five furry four-legged companions. Email Milianna

  • Brett Johannes

    Financial Secretary

  • Jeff Baker

    Custodian

    Jeff began serving as Immanuel's custodian in early 2018. Jeff married his wife Andrea in 2004. They have 2 children: Brinley and Evan.

  • Emily Anderson

    Organist & Accompanist

    Emily has been Immanuel's organist and/or accompanist since the late 1990s. Emily graduated from UNI with an education major and music minor. She taught in public schools for 10 years and has been playing the organ for various churches since she was 12 years old, either as assistant organist or "only" organist. Emily currently teaches a few piano students. Emily and her husband, Chuck, are very happy to be living in Story City and part of the Immanuel family.

  • Susan Amensen

    Senior Choir Director

    Susan Amensen has been our Senior Choir director since 1975. She grew up in Roland, attending Salem Lutheran Church. After living and teaching in Ames and Cedar Rapids, she and her husband, David, moved to Story City and now have two sons and 6 grandchildren. Special choir activities include Praise Dinners, Christmas and Easter cantatas, and the Lawn Chair Brigade. Susan is also a long-time member of a singing group, The Joy Trio.