The Rev. Dr. Carl Anderson began as St. Andrew's Temporary Pastor in December 2024 and his final Sunday is scheduled for April 26, 2026. His commitment to fostering church life, paired with his effective leadership, has helped nurture vibrant, engaged congregations in each community he’s served. Beyond his educational and pastoral qualifications, Pastor Carl is passionate about creating spaces where others can experience the transformational love of Christ—a vision that aligns with St. Andrew’s mission and values.

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The Rev. Colette Souls began her ministry as St. Andrew's pastoral care associate in January 2025.  She has more than 30 years of experience in pastoral roles, including interim and transitional ministry. She completed the Interim Ministry Certification Program at Mercy Center in St. Louis, equipping her with specific skills in supporting congregations through times of change. Pastor Colette and her husband, Dan Ciha, are co-owners of Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. They have seven children and three grandchildren. 

Matt Moore has directed St. Andrew's Student Ministries since August 2022. He grew up in Iowa City and was called into student ministry after college. He has worked previously as a student pastor in Wisconsin and Colorado, He enjoys good food, the outdoors, fishing, board games, and basketball. Matt received his BA in Religious Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. He lives in Iowa City with his wife Marissa and their dog, Arya. 

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Thomas Hartley heard God's call, to serve the congregation that he has called home since attending the University of Iowa. Growing up in Fort Dodge, Thomas came to university and found his calling in education, as well as a passion for children's ministry. He has served St. Andrew as a Sunday School teacher, SPARK leader, and elder. Thomas teaches Kindergarten in the Highland Community School District and coaches baseball at Iowa City West. In his free time he and his puppy Cooper do everything together!

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In August 2022, Nichole Hoffman joined the team of directors for St. Andrew's Children's and Family Ministries. As a social worker and military spouse, she’s had the chance to wear many hats in healthcare including: long-term care coordinator, hospice social worker, Alzheimer’s/dementia Unit Director and as hospital social worker/discharge planner. In addition to serving in health care, Nichole has worked as a para professional working with children in schools both in Sacramento and in Iowa City. She’s excited to be part of this trio by carrying on its traditions and perhaps creating a few new ones, too.  

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In August 2022, Sara Penn joined the Children and Family Ministry Directors Trio, alongside Thomas and Nichole. At St. Andrew, she has also served as an elder since August of 2021, been a Sunday School teacher in the “Lambs” classroom, and been a part of a few handbell groups. She lives in Iowa City with her husband and two children. She enjoys watching movies, writing, painting, learning more ASL, bicycling, and, most of all, spending time at home with her family.  

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Austen Wilson has been director of Music Ministries since August 2022, where he directs the Logos Adult Choir, Children's Choirs, and works with Student musicians. In addition, he collaborates with the Organist/Accompanist, Assistant Director of Instrumental Ministries, and Assistant Director of Handbell Ministries. Previously, Austen served churches in Colorado, New Jersey, Florida. He received a B.A. in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College and an M.M. in Choral Conducting from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Austen is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Choristers Guild, Handbell Musicians of America, and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. Apart from church, Austen enjoys walking in various parks in Iowa City, exploring coffee shops and breweries, reading, listening to podcasts and books on Audible, and writing blog posts twice a month for Choralnet, a professional choral website.

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Julia Van Den Top, a passionate music educator, has been serving as St. Andrew's organist and accompanist since November 2025. She is an MA organ student at University of Iowa, with hopes of being a university professor someday to combine her loves of higher education with teaching private instruction. She received her bachelor’s degree majoring in K-12 Choral/Instrumental Music Education from Dordt University in Sioux Center Iowa, with additional minors in Church Music and Kuyper Honors. She is originally from the south Chicagoland area, and now lives in Coralville with her husband Michael, who is also working on his Ph.D at Iowa. 

This is Laura Kastens’ second stint as a St. Andrew staff member, serving as assistant director of children and youth music from 2002-2012. She received a BS in music education from the University of Illinois and has spent almost 40 years directing children’s, youth, and adult vocal and handbell church choirs. At St. Andrew she leads the adult handbell ensembles. Retired from the University of Iowa Departments of American Studies and Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies, Laura plays clarinet in the Iowa City New Horizons Band and the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, enjoys ushering at Hancher, Englert, and Coralville Center for Performing Arts, loves attending all manner of live music and theatre events, as well as hiking and kayaking. Who said retirement is boring?! She has 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

After more than two decades working as a journalist in the Eastern Iowa area, Jeff Charis-Carlson signed on as Communications Consultant for St. Andrew in November 2019 and officially joined the staff in June 2021, and his position became full-time in 2024, when he served for four months as temporary head of staff during a pastoral transition. He and his wife Christina, a local physician, have three children who often can be found creating either art or music.

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Walter Sparks began serving as St. Andrew’s Finance Administrator in February 2025, bringing extensive experience in nonprofit finance, operations, and organizational systems. With more than a decade of accounting work for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, Walter helps steward the financial life of the congregation—overseeing budgeting, reporting, and the systems that support faithful and transparent management of St. Andrew’s resources.

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