Bruce Thorsen, Pastor

Pastor Bruce grew up in Rapid River, MI. While in high school he was active in his home church Calvary Lutheran Church as the Choir Director and Assistant Organist. He graduated in 1978 and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI majoring in music. Pastor Bruce chose to focus on church music and spent the next three years at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN where he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in church Music in 1982.

Following college he travelled with a Christian singing group, the Reach Out Singers. Between a group that he was a member and then directing a summer tour, he covered 26 states and 5 foreign countries. While on the road in Hellertown, PA, he came across a position at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church as Lay Assistant to the Pastor and Director of Music. He was in this position from 1983-1984, at which time he entered the Lutheran Theological School in Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary). Pastor Bruce graduated in 1988 and was ordained July 24, 1988.

His first call was to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hamburg, PA as an Assistant Pastor, 1988 – 1990. While in Hamburg he met his future husband, John C. Williams. Next he received a call to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown, PA as Associate Pastor, 1990 – 1993.

At this point Pastor Bruce went on leave from call and worked at Lenape Valley Foundation where he developed and the coordinated a mental health program for children and youth. He also held church music positions at a number of churches. During this time he pursued a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and received that degree in 1999.

Pastor Bruce received a call to his husband’s psychological practice and worked with him doing Pastoral Counseling and was the Practice Administrator. Putting his education and experience together he received a Certificate in Transitional Ministry and began doing transitional work in a number of churches. His last call in Pennsylvania was at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Sellersville, PA, 2017-2021. John and Pastor Bruce were married on October 17, 2017. This was a part time call and during this time he also worked as a behavior/sexuality consultant at Lenape Valley Foundation, 2010 – 2021. During this time, he also worked as a Behavior Consultant for Biacon in Pennsylvania.

In July of 2021 he and John moved to Ishpeming, MI to be the Intentional Interim Pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church. John passed away in January 2022 from residual effects of a car accident 1988. Pastor Bruce was active in the Northern Great Lakes Synod where he was a member of the Worship Committee, Kaleidoscope in Christ (committee for diversity and inclusion), the Total Inclusion Task Force at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. He also sang in the Marquette Choral Society and played in the Lake Superior Handbells.

Pastor Bruce’s mother continues to live in their family home at the age of 90. His sister and brother-in-law live in Milwaukee, WI. He looks forward to doing ministry with the members and friends of Faith.

Connie Denbrock, Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Connie Denbrock is Faith Lutheran’s Administrative Assistant! Connie is in the office Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Connie was born and raised on a large farm in Fowler. She is the oldest of 4 girls and enjoys working with animals and heavy equipment. She attended college locally to obtain a degree in business and has worked with computers for over 30 years. She loves traveling, working outdoors, and staying active in the community by volunteering at animal shelters, doing yard work and home maintenance for the elderly, and she previously worked as a part-time event coordinator for the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy. Connie and her husband, Don, have three children and one granddaughter.

Debra Borton-McDonough, Director of Music

Deb taught vocal/choral music in the Okemos Public Schools from 1989 – 2014. She directed and taught the choirs at Okemos High School, Chippewa and Kinawa Middle Schools; she also taught elementary general music at Wardcliff, Hiawatha, and Cornell Elementary schools. Deb has served as the Director of Music Ministry at various churches over the past 35 years, including Faith Lutheran from 2000 – 2010, and 2014 – present. A graduate of St. Olaf College, Deb has been the subject of published graduate research at Michigan State University, which recognizes her innovative approach to teaching.

Bruce Williams, Organist

Bruce has been a church organist, recital accompanist and piano teacher in the Lansing area for over 40 years. He earned an undergraduate degree in piano and organ performance from the University of Delaware, and a graduate degree in music theory from MSU. He teaches at Marshall Music and accompanies the Lansing Matinee Musicale Choral Ensemble. Bruce is a frequent guest organist with the Steiner Chorale. He joined the staff at Faith in April 2011.

Pam Williams, Youth & Education Director