Leadership
Meet our Leaders
Christ Redeemer Church is currently served by two pastors (elders).
Lead Pastor Brett Louis
Brett made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ at an early age. He believes he was genuinely saved by the grace of God even though he was not yet overwhelmed by the grace of God. Shortly after becoming a physical therapist, however, the Lord used a series of events in his life to create a spiritual “famine” of sorts, which drove him to read the Bible like never before. He then began to understand to a greater degree the depth of his sinfulness and the supreme value of the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was gripped by the gospel! Soon after, the Lord gave Brett the opportunity to minister in the Texas state prison system. After five years of full-time prison ministry, he went on to complete a Master of Divinity degree at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He then served as a church planting resident at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis before being sent out to plant Christ Redeemer Church. Brett has been married to Molly, “the woman of his dreams,” since 2003. Brett and Molly have been blessed with four children: Joshua, Olivia, Isabelle, and Judson.
Pastor Thomas Rydland
Thomas grew up attending church, though he wouldn’t say that he truly understood his need for a Savior in Jesus until he was 15. Looking back, he would say that it was then when he was truly “born again” by God’s grace. He was made a new creation, saved from the punishment deserved because of his sin and trusting in Jesus alone for forgiveness and a joyful standing with God. He had what he might call a "theological conversion" several years later, when he came to embrace the the good sovereignty of God over his salvation. Despite his sinful nature, and by God's grace, Thomas aims to delight in Christ, represent him well, and help others do the same.
Before coming to Christ Redeemer Church, Thomas served for three years in the Family Discipleship department of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. Prior to that, he ministered with a youth missions organization called YouthWorks, which gave him opportunities for ministry in several different states. Over the years, Thomas has also been privileged to work in the concrete finishing trade, and he’s very thankful for his time “in the mud.”
Thomas holds degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College (Psychology and Criminal Justice) and Bethel Seminary (Theological and Historical Studies). He has received additional education from Luther Seminary (Christian History) and the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (Biblical Counseling).
He’s been married to his best friend and favorite person in the world, Karena, since 2004. Together, Thomas and Karena welcomed their baby daughter, Kyrkja, into the family in 2011 after over 4 years of prayer.
Wally Brath - Worship Director
Growing up in LaPorte, Indiana, God granted Wally repentance from his sins and faith in Jesus Christ as his savior at an early age. God used the local church to grow Wally’s faith and called him to serve as a minister of the gospel through music. After receiving a BM at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and studying theology at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wally served as worship pastor in the Chicago area for 8 years before moving to Minneapolis in Spring of 2004. He served as an assistant music minister at Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) until March 2006 when he was commissioned by BBC with two other elders to plant All Nations Christian Fellowship in Brooklyn Center, MN. In 2010, Wally started Musicians in Mission (www.musiciansinmission.org), a ministry that seeks to advance God’s kingdom through music. Wally joined the staff of Christ Redeemer Church in September 2011. In May 2013, he completed his MA in ethnomusicology from Liberty University. Wally has been married to his best friend, Shana, since August 14, 1993. They have been blessed with 3 children.