The Rev. Kyle Otterbein has served as St. Andrew's associate pastor since 1999. He has a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Virginia and is a proud graduate of the University of Washington. When he is not cheering on the Huskies or the Seattle Mariners, he loves gathering with St. Andrew's small group ministries and finding new ways to tell the story of the gospel. He is also a Gottman Institute 7 Principles Program Educator.

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Matt Moore has served as St. Andrew's interim director of 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 (pictured here) 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 interim 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 interim trio by carrying on its traditions and perhaps creating a few new ones, too.  

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In August 2022, Sara Penn was fortunate to have been asked to serve on the Interim Children and Family Ministry Directors Team, alongside Thomas and Nichole. At Saint 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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Yu-Hsiang Abby Chen is an award-winning organist and a passionate accompanist who regularly can be heard ministering through the historic Krapf Organ for St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Iowa, under the direction of Dr. Gregory Hand, Abby also serves as a teaching assistant, offering organ lessons to non-majors and undergraduate secondary students.

Lee Rabe has been sharing his musical talents with St. Andrew since 2003. He leads the church's Brass and Woodwind Ensembles and oversees their combinations in jazz and traditional orchestras. He also serves as an elementary band teacher for the Iowa City Community School District.

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This is Laura Kastens' second stint as a staff member, the first time around serving as assistant director of vocal ministries (2002-2012). She comes from a musical family and started playing piano in kindergarten and clarinet when she was in the 4th grade. After receiving a a BS in music education from the University of Illinois, she taught in the Evanston, Illinois, public schools and worked at Buffalo Grove High School. She has spent more than 25 years directing children's, youth, and adult vocal and handbell church choirs. Since 2000, she has been the administrator for the Departments of American Studies and Gender, Women's, & Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa. She has two adult children and multiple grandchildren.

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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. 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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After retiring in 2017 as a senior vice president of Hills Bank and Trust, John Benson found a new ministry as St. Andrew's finance administrator. Both he and his wife, Patti, are active in St. Andrew's choir and have three children.

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Jaymeson Harms began working with St. Andrew in January 2023. When he is not busy managing the church building or taking care of the surrounding property, he enjoys fishing and basketball.

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Amy Schmidt-Rundell is a lifelong member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. She joined the church staff in early 2023.

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