Horizons Community Church

Personally: I grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa in a family of Danish Immigrants. My parents left their family in Denmark and moved to America shortly after they were married but before they had children. I have one living older brother and one older brother who passed away almost two years ago. Being a first generation American has given me a strong sense of thankfulness for the freedoms we are blessed with in this country, as well as a passion for culture and travel. I married the love of my life, Peter Halvorson, in 1995. I had fully intended on marrying a Dane, but couldn't resist this Norwegian. We have four very Scandinavian children; Christian - 13, Soren - 11, Leif - 9, and Annika - almost 7. We both grew up in Christian homes and have had the privilege of growing in our faith together. We consider ourselves incredibly blessed to have both sets of parents still living and married, and they have been great role models in our lives. Pete and I have served together in marriage and children's ministries and have led small groups and bible studies. We currently lead a small group and teach the Two's class as a family. It is a thrill to watch our children develop their servant hearts; every Sunday morning they ask, "Do we get to teach the Two's today?" I also help out with Worship for HIM. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. We love to downhill ski, camp, canoe/kayak, play tennis and most athletic and outdoor activities. I also enjoy watching my kids participate in their activities. I like to scrapbook (when time allows), knit, read, exercise, and have great conversation with friends. Professionally: I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa and my Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Psychology from Iowa State University. I worked as a Psychologist for 9 years in Iowa and Wisconsin until my career took a very significant turn. In 2005, we moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota and after a couple years of staying home helping the family adjust to the transition of a new state, starting new schools, and having a new little sister, we decided to give home schooling a try. We committed to doing it one year at a time, and are now in our sixth year. We are actively involved in a home school co-op, of which I have served as the director for two and a half years. I still retain my licensure in Psychology and do some required testing for the home school community. Spiritually: I was raised in a Christian home and grew up attending Christian summer camps and serving in my church. I was baptized at the age of nine and really have a rather boring testimony. I have definitely made my share of mistakes but thankfully we have a gracious and forgiving God that loves us despite ourselves. It is amazing how much I have learned about my faith and God through home schooling my children. As I mentioned before, I grew up in the Church and in a Christian home. While I knew that both Biblical and World History happened, they never seemed to overlap. Through home schooling, we have studied History from a Creationist perspective, learning how Biblical and World Histories co-occurred and influenced each other. It's really amazing! I am also being challenged by my son Christian, to memorize the book of James with him this year. So far, he's doing much better than I am.

Semi-retired, Father to two sons and Papa to 5 grandchildren. Married to Ann for 43 years. Have been a member of Horizons since the Church was in Blaine HS. Work with Kid-Tastic, Friend to Friend and often repairing things around church.

Personally: My name is Amanda Lamson. I used to be a horror film actress in Hollywood and also enjoy long walks on the beach and Piña Coladas. OK, none of that is true. But I do lead a very glamorous life in East Bethel, MN; it’s a hot town. I have been married 7 ½ years to an amazing man name Brandon, who was also my High School sweetheart. We have two sassy, genius babies named Bella (5) and Darren (2), and a bouncy Springer Spaniel named Maggie (dog). I grew up in Ham Lake, MN with my mom, dad and sister, attending McKinley, Roosevelt, and eventually Blaine High School… my dad was a teacher, so I got away with very little. My family belonged to a church called Redeemer Lutheran in Fridley, where my sister and I went to Sunday School and Youth Group. I spent my college years at the U of M Twin Cities living on campus for the four years I was a student, except for the one summer I studied abroad in Toledo, Spain. Si, puedo hablar un poco Español. Brandon and I were married shortly after college and decided to start our adventures close to home in the beautiful, close to civilization yet somewhat rural, East Bethel. We live across from an old farm that makes it feel a little more rural on hot summer afternoons, if you know what I’m sayin’. Professionally: After my movie star career….er, nevermind. After graduation, armed with my degree in marketing and media relations, I landed a job doing fundraising for a small non-profit that helped youth offenders get back on track. Convinced my life was to make a difference in the non-profit sector, I was devastated when my position was cut. Praying that God would help me find a job close to home and working at something “that mattered”, I was forced to close my eyes and jump when He asked me to take a position offered in downtown Minneapolis working for the very corporate US Bank. I have been there 7 years in April and am continually humbled by the work God brings my way in a very well led, yet secular company. Spiritually: Both my mom and dad love Jesus, so I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home where my parents brought us to church, out to meet my youth group buddies and never denied us a summer camp. And yes, in case anyone was wondering…I was a punk. I gave my parents a run for their money. Let’s just say I was lucky they loved me so much. With that in mind, while Jesus had always been part of my life, it wasn’t until college that my life was surrendered to Him. I always feel silly about this fear, but I was truly scared that He would make me shave my head and move far away from everyone I love to be a missionary in Africa. I know, I know. So one night in my college house, while reading the Purpose Driven Life, I held my breath and took the leap. The first thing He laid on my heart was that I could stay close and do my work here. WHEW! From then on, I asked God about my decisions and He was always faithful. Work, Brandon, a family, His answers drew my paths. Brandon and I found Horizons on Christmas Eve 8 years ago. We both grew up in different churches and were looking to find a church where we could start our new “home” together. Horizons provided that, right from the start. Not only did we feel comfortable, the message was so real. It’s the place we can truly be who we are while hearing the raw, loving, and sometimes controversial message of Jesus. Brandon and I readily admit that we are by no means perfect, but because of Jesus we break, heal, and grow at Horizons…so keep coming back for more. Shortly after calling Horizons home, God presented me with an opportunity in the Youth Group. Knowing He means for my work to be close to home, I accepted and was a small group leader for 9th grade girls. I watched them grow up and graduate, then started over again with a group of 10th grade girls. I watched them grow up too, and they all graduated this last spring. Now God is calling again, and knowing what He promised me…I answer. I am humbled and honored every time I am asked to serve. Thinking what could I possibly have that You need, but I know it’s God’s work when my heart immediately answers “yes, you were created to do this”. I am humbled, excited, a little scared, and ready all at the same time to take on the position offered with Horizons Management Leadership Team. It’s with God’s request that I offer my time, service and heart. And I am especially glad Horizons is here, at home, and not in Hollywood or Africa.

My name is Todd LaVine and I am the Executive Pastor at Horizons Community Church. I have been on staff since October of 2003 and am excited about the way that the Lord is using me at this church. I have been married to my amazing wife for 25 years and have three awesome kids; Olivia - 20 years old, married, and living in Tacoma, WA with her husband Joe who is in the Army. I have another daughter Katie who is 18 and works full time at Lettermen Sports in Blaine. I also have a son named Jesse who is 15 and just finishing up drivers ed. My two favorite passage of scripture are Galatians 2:20 and Dueteronomy 30:19-20. You'll have to look them up to find out what they are! :) I'm not going to do that for you!! :)

I love Jesus! I was blessed to be raised in a Christian family, where I learned Christian values and the importance of partnership with a great church family. Through God’s grace, I recognized myself as a sinner and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior very young. My faith has continued to grow from there. Brian and I found Horizon’s right after our honeymoon, and have been an active part of our church family since. We started out serving in youth ministry and connecting with friends through small groups, and eventually leading several small groups of our own. Today, I am the area director for TotTastic and KidTastic, serving alongside Lisa and the directors of those areas to encourage and equip our small group leaders, partner with families, and invest in all our kids at Horizon’s. On the personal side, Brian and I have been married for almost 14 years. I thank God for such a wonderful husband, friend, and partner! We established our home in Andover with three wonderful kids – Leah (8 ½), James (5 ½), and Eli (3 ½). Leah, James, and Eli bring such joy to my life. I have learned so much being their Mom, and know there are many more learning opportunities to come. Our family values are: Love God, Love Family, Work Hard, Be Kind, Know the Truth, and Tell the Truth. My favorite time is family time, no matter what we’re doing. One of my favorite family times is as we close out each day: we gather together on one of the kid’s beds, read the Bible, and all say prayers. We saw this modeled by friends from Horizon’s before we even had kids. On the professional side, we are a dual-working-parent family. Brian and I have been blessed with great jobs at Medtronic, the world’s leading medical technology company. I have been with Medtronic for 14 years, and am currently the Director of our Neuromodulation Customer Support and Vigilance team. I rely on God often as I lead this team of 115 people to drive global customer loyalty and positive patient outcomes. My experience has been in team leadership, lean continuous improvement, change management, and project, program, and portfolio management. I received my BA from Luther College in IT and Management, and my MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

My name is Bill Singer. The priorities in my life are my wife, my kids and my church. That takes up about all my extra time outside of my job as an Employer Benefits Consultant. I have been married for about 27 years and have 5 great kids that I am very proud of. Alyssa is graduated from college and doing great at her job. Kayla is an amazing artist and graduates from her college this year. Mariah graduates from high school this year and has the coolest car in the family (that she purchased all by herself). My two boys are in 9th grade and I cannot push them around anymore. What a huge and wonderful experience it has been to raise these kids into adults and teach them what it means to be a Christian. We have taught all of our kids to be generous with their time, treasure, and talents. I love Horizons Church. True to the gospel while engaging people where they are. I love the fact that we reach the broken, the weak, the hurt, and lift them to son’s and daughter’s of God. At church I usually end up serving…wherever I am needed, from running the sound board, to washing windows and directing parking lot traffic. I am a Board member of one of our church ministries called Beyond Horizons, which is connecting those in the community to those who are willing to help. I am not much of a movie person as I do not sit for long times very well. I really enjoy active things. For fun I enjoy riding motorcycle with my wife, walking the Mall of America with my family, playing basketball with my boys or going to the beach with family and friends. If you see me around Horizons you are welcome to stop me and say Hi.

Background: I grew up in Northeast Minneapolis, land of a Catholic Church on every corner, and I was a good Catholic. During college years at St Thomas (St. Paul) I earned a degree in Business, but more importantly made a decision to follow Christ. Met and married Laurie (Travaille) in 1983. Horizons Life: Our love for Horizons started right away (1995) and we’ve participated in many ways, all of which we are thankful to have the privilege of doing; Management Team, Personnel Team, Teaching, and Greeting at the front door are all things I have participated in over the years – and loved doing. I have been to Ensenada building a few times and plan to go back again sometime. Laurie teaches, greets and serves at the food-shelf. In the early years at Blaine HS, we enjoyed the “small church” setting, but we also appreciate the variety of things a larger church family affords; Beyond Horizons, Homes of Hope, and the new Compassion Center. Family: Don & Laurie have two kids, now both in their 20’s. Levi (& Chelsey) have been married 5 years, attend Horizons, and live in Anoka. Kasey, 24, lives in Saint Paul and attends some little church called Eaglesomething. We raised our kids in Andover, where Laurie taught Kindergarten and I work building and selling new homes for Hanson Builders, Inc. Personal: Laurie & I enjoy doing a wide variety of things together, including fixing up older homes. To that end, we decided to make a short-term move down to the Summit Avenue district (where we originally met and married) and bought a 1901 row home, which we have been remodeling. In the past we have restored a couple of lake cabins up north together. Our favorite vacation spot is Florida in the winter. We appreciate our i-Phones, i-Pads, and Mac-Books and how they help us discover new things. Now confirmed “emptynesters” this stage in life is affording us new opportunities to help others.