Our Staff

Ministers & Pastors

Bobby Vitek

Pastor

Pastor Bobby Vitek contributes to the ministry team as being the lead pastor. He has been a pastor for 34 years and 25 of those have been served at HGLC. He values intentionality and purposefulness in his day as well as the ministry direction of the church. He believes that if church is boring, it is a sin; thus creative paths to express faith is always a part of the plan! Experimentation for the sake of expanding the gospel of Jesus is an important axiom.

Pastor Bobby is married to Tammy, a retired public school teacher who nannies the grandchildren. They have two married adult children: Katy Kornegay, married to Geoff; and Andy Vitek, married to Alex. Both sets of children are highly involved faith leaders in their respective churches, and impacts their respective work contexts in amazing ways. They celebrate three wonderful grandchildren: Graham Wilder Kornegay, and twins, Emma Sawyer and Ellie Grace Vitek.

This Reverend enjoys making homemade wine, jellies, and does most of the cooking at home. Spring turkey hunting for him is not a passion, but an obsession; however grandparenthood is currently a higher priority than chasing birds! He roots for the Aggies, Cowboys, and Spurs! His current favorite Bible verse is, “I came that you may have life and have it abundantly!” (Jesus in John 10:10b)

David Priem

Pastor

Pastor David is married to his lovely wife Joyce.  They have four adult children, and two grandchildren.  David has been in the ministry for 30+ years, and at Holy Ghost since 2001.  His passion is being able to serve the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to serve others, and try and make a connection between the two.  He loves studying and teaching the Bible and sharing the Good News of the Gospel so that it might make a difference in people’s lives.  He loves spending time with his family and friends and dabbles with technology, crafts, and music.  He loves the outdoors when it’s not allergy season, enjoying fresh vegetables, fruit, and flowers.

Steve Qualben

Pastor

Pastor Steve began serving in ministry as an intern in Pearland, Texas in 1988 and, after graduation from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN took his first call to Marin Luther Lutheran Church in Coletoville, TX (right outside Victoria). While serving at Zion Lutheran in Kerrville, Steve met and married his wife, Annette, and through the years their family grew. Rebekah (born in Fredericksburg) currently lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she works as an ICU nurse. Jacob lives in Fredericksburg and works at the Wellness Center as a personal trainer. James is a recent graduate (2023) of Fredericksburg High School and will start in the Navy in July to begin training as a nuclear propulsion specialist. 

Pastor Steve began his ministry in June of 2022 and has a passion for teaching the Bible and training volunteers to do the work of ministry in Christ’s beloved church (Ephesians 4:11-13). Annette is a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered nurse and loves to volunteer in the church kitchen cooking/preparing food for as many folks as possible. In addition to his regular pastoral duties, Pastor Steve is an active member of the Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department. His hobbies include clearing cedar with his chainsaw, fishing (rivers and the coast) and canoeing/kayaking (when there’s water in the river). 

Clint Pluenneke

Pastor of Youth and Family

Clint loves the ministry and loves serving the Lord at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church! He’s a sixth generation Texan with roots in Mason County where his family first settled in the 1800s. Clint is married to his High School (class of 1990) sweetheart, Anne, who practices medicine in Fredericksburg as an Ophthalmologist. Clint and Anne have three kids- Jake, Molly, and Clara. Clint’s favorite hobbies are hunting turkeys in the Spring, watching High School sports, making highlight videos for FHS teams, and playing guitar. Clint graduated from the University of Texas in 1993 with a B.A. in Psychology. Following his undergraduate work, he attended Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 1998. Prior to coming to Holy Ghost, he served Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Arlington, TX, for six years as an associate pastor specializing in youth and family ministry. He has served Holy Ghost since February of 2005, and then beginning in January of 2016, he began a shared ministry partnership with our sister congregation, St Paul Lutheran Church of Cave Creek, working as their part-time pastor while also continuing to do youth ministry at Holy Ghost part- time. Clint is thankful for this partnership in the Gospel and considers it a great joy to be a part of a family of faith where “being and making disciples” is the name of the game!

Daniel Hofmann

Minister of Children and Young Families

Daniel first felt God’s pull toward ministry while working at Camp Chrysalis during college, and he loves returning there every summer with the HGLC kids. If you ever get the chance to go, he’d relish the chance to show you around one of his most special places!

Daniel and his wife Katie have been married since 2019, and they live across the street from the church with their daughter Elizabeth, born 2021. They enjoy taking strolls along Main Street, sitting on the porch, and singing show tunes to anyone who will listen.
If you ever catch one of Daniel’s children’s messages, you might just hear him reference some of his favorite things: classic Disney, Legos, coffee, and God’s unending Grace!

Jan Unger

VISITATION PASTOR

Visitation Minister Jan Unger graduated from Lutheran High School East in Cleveland, Ohio.  She began her college education at the University of Colorado in 1967 and finished up with a B.S. in Psychology at the University of Houston in 1982.  She received her M.Div. at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in 1989.  March 18, 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of her ordination.  She served at Salem Ellerton Lutheran Church in Miamisburg, OH from 1990-1998, Grace Lutheran Church in Jackson Center, OH from 1998-2005, and Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale, TX from 2005-2011.  Shortly after retiring, she transferred her membership to Holy Ghost.

Like her mother, Jan enjoys singing, and she participates in the Sanctuary Choir.  She travels every chance she gets and likes to learn about different cultures. She likes to visit with Christians in other lands to hear of their victories and trials.  She remembers fondly her trips to Tanzania, when she led tours to the churches there.  She enjoys making greeting cards, and tries to teach the craft to everyone who will listen.  Jan has two adult children and four grandchildren.  She has been married to Paul, a lifelong Lutheran, for twenty nine years.  They have two cats and a small “ranch” in Kendall County, with a never ending to-do list.  Jan loves the Lord and loves to worship Him.

Alan Williams

VISITATION PASTOR

Rev. Dr. Alan Williams is a pastor both of the NALC and LCMC, having served with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada from 1971 to 1984. He was chaplain of Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, TX, from 1984 to 2000. He served Calvary Lutheran Church in San Angelo from 2000 to 2008 and finished full time ministry at Hallettsville, TX 2008-2012. He has been ordained for 48 years, married for 50 years to Linda and they have three adult children, three grandchildren, two dogs, 3 chickens and thousands of honey bees. He is currently semi-retired, working two days a week with Holy Ghost as a visitation pastor. He and Linda moved to Fredericksburg and joined Holy Ghost Church in January of 2013. His doctoral work is in the area of pastoral counseling. He has been a ham radio operator and played guitar for the last 54 years.

Marti Jennings

Ministry Facilitator
Marti is originally from New Jersey.  After her first husband passed on, Marti and her two children, Joseph and Katherine, moved to Arizona.   There, Marti met Robert and they have been married over 40 years. They moved to Fredericksburg in 2007.  Robert has two children, Patricia and David.  They have 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

 

 

Kim Gibbs

VOLUNTEER SMALL GROUP ADMINISTRATOR

Kim joined the staff on a part-time basis in 2020 with the goal of Strengthening the Saved through growing friendships and faith in small groups.  Kim was born and raised in the Dallas area, but she has deep roots in Fredericksburg and at Holy Ghost.  After graduating from Texas A&M with a BBA in Accounting, she had a 30+ year career in accounting and human resources, starting in Austin and continuing when she and her family moved to Fredericksburg in 2008.  Kim is married to Mark, an environmental engineer, and they have two grown sons, Robert, married to Amanda, and Garrison.  The Gibbs live in the Bear Creek community in an 1870s rock house that was originally built by Kim’s great, great grandparents.  Kim enjoys cooking, reading, camping, drinking wine, Bible studying, and spending time with family and friends.  She says that her role as Small Group Ministry Leader is a holy calling and dream job, and she’s very excited to serve Holy Ghost and the kingdom.

Other Staff Members 

Shanese R. Lochte

Office Manager

I am married to Kevin Lochte and we have two fantastic boys; Hewston (12) who enjoys Art and Theater Arts. Hudson (5) who is a vivacious young man who loves to be outdoors and enjoys all types of hunting & fishing and digging holes in the yard for his mother to fall into. Kevin is self-employed (K. Lochte Construction). Formerly, I was the co-owner and Manager of L.T. Answering and Business Services for 8 years.  I graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1990 and am a graduate of Central Texas Commercial college in Dallas. I have worked for law and accounting firms in Dallas as well as Biodynamic Research in San Antonio. I have been Office Manager for HGLC since July, 2015. My hobbies include soaking up the sunshine on warm days, cooking scrumptious fattening food (when time allows), drinking coffee, going to the lake, spending time with my boys, my husband and family. My favorite place to go on vacation is Destin, FL I am the baby of a family of 4. I have also taught Sunday school for 3 years here at HGLC, have been a volunteer with Vacation Bible school and am on the Foot washing Team. I am also a member of HGLC. My vision for my job here at HGLC, is that this is not just a job. I feel that I am working for a much greater purpose. Working at HGLC is not only challenging, but more so than that a true blessing. My favorite bible verse is “ . . .Where You Go, I will Go . . .” Ruth 1:16

Jim Parker

MAINTENANCE

Hi, my name is Jim Parker. I was born in San Antonio at Randolf Air Force Base. In my years of growing up, I spent time in Japan, San Antonio, Austin, Italy, Dripping Springs, and Harper. I attended school at each of these places where our father was stationed. I and one sister, Jan. I had two sons, Terry and Garrett. Terry passed away after an accident while in the Air Force in Florida in 1998. I met my wife, Lynne, in 1999. We were married in 2002. Garrett lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Marina.

Blake Neffendorf

Office Assistant

I was born and raised a beach baby in Norfolk, Virginia. I fell in love with Texas after visiting family off and on during my childhood. I decided in 2002 to pack up my belongings and head off on new adventures with one goal in mind….to become a TEXAN! I married my husband, Spencer in 2008 and we have three children: Dalton, Savannah, and Maddux. Our family also consists of 1 dog (Delta Dawn), 2 parakeets (Hazel & Kiwi), a flock of chickens and 2 ducks, and a super sassy kitty (Frida Pearl).  We believe, that if you’re not using the “baby voice” to speak to your animals, they probably don’t understand you. 

My hobbies include photography, travel, and exploring the outdoors with my family. I also love to cook, essential oils, TJMAXX, the color yellow, and performing concerts in the car to my favorite music!  

I believe our relationships define us, are how we learn & grow, and are how we minister to each other. I believe that these are the blessings of belonging and I am so blessed to belong to Holy Ghost Lutheran Church.  

Thank you Jesus for an amazing church family! 

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 

WOERNER-June

June Woerner

Financial Secretary

June is the mother of two sons, Shaun and Kyle Woerner.  Shaun and his wife, Suzette, live in Itasca and have one daughter, Eva (2 years old).  Kyle and his wife, Marion, live in Houston and have two sons, Austin (9 years old) and Andrew (7 years old).  June retired from the Fredericksburg Clinic in 2014 after 28 years of service.  Besides traveling to visit her grandkids, she also spends her free time feeding her geese, ducks and lots of whitetail deer.  In November 2015, June joined the office staff here at Holy Ghost as the Financial Secretary.  She feels blessed to return to service and be part of the Holy Ghost Team.

Myrna Olivarez

OFFICE ASSISTANT

My name is Myrna Olivarez.  I was raised in Nebraska where I graduated from Hastings College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  In 1986, I accepted a teaching position in a town located on the US-Mexico border of Texas.  This is where I met my husband, Oscar.  We moved to the Hill Country in 1996.

In 2003, I made a career change from teaching to secretarial work.  I served as an administrative assistant for program directors in two school districts before retiring in 2019.

It is an honor to serve as a clerical assistant with the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church office staff.  It is a pleasure to work with – and learn from – such wonderful people!

My favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Kandice Wadsworth

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Kandice Wadsworth is a 6th generation Fredericksburg native.  She is the great-great-great granddaughter of Pastor Heinrich S.W. Basse, the founder of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church.  Kandice and her family live on family land in Doss and attend St. Peter Lutheran Church, which is a sister congregation to Holy Ghost.  Kandice was baptized and married in St. Peter Lutheran and confirmed in Bethany Lutheran.

Kandice attended school in Fredericksburg and after graduating from FHS attended the University of Dallas, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Philosophy.  She has been married for 33 years to her college sweetheart, Steve Wadsworth, who is now the Gillespie County Attorney.  They have three wonderful children, Anne, Dalton and Braeden and a beautiful granddaughter, Avery.  Anne is a 9th grade English teacher at North Hills High School in Dallas.  Dalton has just graduated from FHS and will be attending the Honors College at UNT, studying Biology and Computer Science.  Braeden will be a sophomore at FHS this coming school year.  Avery loves rainbows, unicorns, and anything pink and will be in 1st grade next year. 

Kandice was a stay-at-home mom for many years, but also has experience as a legal secretary, bookkeeping and retail sales.  She is the former owner of Fredericksburg Paper Goods and worked as an administrative assistant for Doss CCSD.  She now works part-time as one of the office assistants at Holy Ghost and loves it!  She also enjoys reading, watching movies, and doing crossword puzzles in ink.  Her favorite thing is sitting on the porch with her family every evening and watching the beautiful hill country sunset!

Music Staff Members

Bernice Basse

ORGANIST

I was born and raised in Gillespie County. I am married to Hans Basse. I have two children, Farren & Andrea. I also have 3 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren. I became a Registered Nurse and served 30 plus years as a Nurse Executive of Hill Country Memorial Hospital.

Music has always been a great part of my life and I have spent 50 plus years as a church organist & pianist. Since retirement from nursing, I particularly enjoy spending time with grandchildren and continue working as a church organist.

Adrienne Stone

ORGANIST

Tammy Vitek

ORGANIST

Tammy is married to Pastor Bobby and they have two children; Katy is married to Geoff; they live in Dallas with their baby, Graham; Andy is married to Alex, and they live in Bryan.

Tammy was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church near Brenham. She grew up in Bellville. She began piano lessons with her mom when she was six years old. She started playing the organ for church in ninth grade and has played for ever church she has attended. Now she loves accompanying the sanctuary choir and the praise band, Joyful Noise.

Tammy happily taught in elementary schools for thirty years. She has recently retired and changed her name to “Omi.”

Nancy Rickerhauser

ORGANIST

Hi!  I’m Nancy Rickerhauser and I play piano part-time here at HGLC.  A  Pennsylvania native and a Texan by choice since 1996, I work full time as a family physician with Cornerstone Clinic in Comfort, deliver babies at Hill Country Memorial and care for people of all ages, “from the cradle to the grave”.  I live in Fredericksburg with my husband Ron, a psychologist and counselor, and my daughter Jenna, who will graduate from high school and test her wings as she prepares to soar into college in 2020.   

I enjoy traveling, cross stitch, reading, and following the antics of our menagerie of goats, chickens, dogs and cats.  Music has always been my passion and it’s a joy and a privilege to share that with our church family.

Psalm 100: 1-3:  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Rhonda Gross

ORGANIST

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