Vicar Becker

My name is Andrew (Andy) John Becker and I was born in Ann Arbor, MI, in 1979. My parents, Wally and Alvina Becker are Lutheran Church workers. My father was first a DCE and is now a pastor, and my mother is a Lutheran school teacher. My only sibling, a brother, is a DCE. Faith has been an important part of our family, and from early on I had a desire to serve in a church work vocation.

I attended college at Concordia in River Forest and graduated as a DCE. After my internship in Giddings, TX, I got married to Nicola (Nikki) Rusnak. We were called to serve at Immanuel Lutheran church in Giddings, Nikki as a middle school teacher and myself as a DCE. After three years as a called DCE, through much prayer, deliberation, and consultations with friends, family, and colleagues, it was decided that my gifts would be better suited in pastoral ministry.

During college I took a year off school to be a part of a traveling music ministry teamed called Captive Free through the organization Youth Encounter. Through this experience I learned much about myself and my faith as I worked closely with five other people and shared my faith with others on a daily basis. After college I attended Concordia in Seward Nebraska, in a Masters of Family Ministry program. I hope to have this degree completed by August of 2008. I enrolled in that program because I believe that families need to be equipped and supported so that the home is a place where faith is fostered and grown.

I enjoy being involved with worship and have led and participated in praise teams/bands, and in planning worship services for the youth and for other occasions. I have experience working with Jr. and Sr. high youth, Jr. Confirmation, and media ministry. I enjoy teaching and leading Bible classes for people of all ages.

Nikki and I are very excited about coming to Trinity Downtown, so that I can be your vicar. We enjoy music, games, and entertaining. I play the guitar, bass guitar, and the trumpet, and Nikki plays percussion, including the drum set. We have enjoyed using these gifts in worship and by playing in a band. I am a sports fan and root for St. Louis sports teams. I also enjoy rollerblading, running, and playing sports.

Andrew and Nikki Becker