Leaders Serving Immanuel
Get to know those who lead at Immanuel, including our ministry staff, elders, officers, support staff and volunteers. Click a people profile, and learn more about those who called to serve in this place.
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Gregory Mech
Immanuel Lutheran Church welcomed Rev. Gregory Mech to be its pastor in 2009. Greg Mech grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, attending Lutheran Schools all of his life. After completing his B.S. in Secondary Education in 1975 (Concordia-Seward), he became an English teacher at Baltimore Lutheran High School. In 1986, Mech earned his Master of Divinity degree at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. This allowed him to serve as pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Chicago, to become chaplain and…
Jason Glaskey
Jason Glaskey has been serving Immanuel as Minister to Youth & Families since 2008. Born and raised in the Southeast Missouri town of Ironton, he started his college career at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Missouri. He quickly found himself attending church at Immanuel-Joplin, then helping with Youth Ministry, Sunday School, and singing in the choir. Discovering God’s Calling to become a Director of Christian Education and Lutheran Teacher, Jason transferred to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, earning a…
Jeremy Schamber
Mr. Jeremy Schamber is our school principal, and has been on the staff at Martin Luther School since 2001. Mr. Schamber is a pastor’s kid who graduated from Monroe City High School in Northeast Missouri. He attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, earning a B.S. degree in Elementary Education/Special Education in 1997, and later completed his Masters Degree in Elementary School Administration in 2015. Jeremy Schamber’s wife, Mrs. Kelli Schamber, is a preschool teacher at MLS. The Schambers were married…
Kimberly Johnson
Kimberly Johnson has been serving God in our church office since 1984! Originally from Lowell, Indiana, she has called Joplin and Immanuel Lutheran Church home for most of her life. Besides being responsible for all of Immanuel’s print publications and being the friendly voice you hear on the phone, Kimberly oversees much of the day-to-day operation of the church office. A great source of pride for Kimberly is her daughter, Maddy, who is a dentist in Hawaii. (Needless to say,…
David Newberry
David Newberry is our Head Elder for the 2021-2022 term. David is a life-long member of Immanuel, and has enjoyed his time serving as an elder, as well as on several boards and committees over the years. He has been active in helping to keep our membership connected as we serve and reach out into our community. David works for Lowe’s of Joplin, and stays busy with several hobbies and interests. He is also dedicated to spending time with family…
Bill Ideker
Bill Ideker is our Congregation President for the 2021-2022 term. Born and raised in Joplin, he is a life-long member of Immanuel. Bill has served Immanuel in many ways over the years as an elder, in congregational leadership, and as a Bible Study teacher. Bill Ideker also currently serves on Immanuel’s Board of Elders. Bill’s vocation includes serving as Vice President for O6 Environmental Services, an industrial general contracting firm. His wife Michele recently retired from her career in our…