Equipping Ministry

Fall Adult Equipping Class

Classes are a great opportunity on Sunday mornings to gather with other members to train in biblical, theological, and practical skills for life and ministry. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Pastor Adrian. You can read more about the classes below.

If you plan to attend this class, be sure to join the Church Center group below to find additional resources, ask questions during the week, interact with teachers, and receive relevant updates.

Contact Adrian
View Class Recordings

All Ages Welcome!

Sundays | 8:30–9:30 AM

    Children Classes | Grades PreK-6th

Students & Adults | New Fellowship Hall

Hebrews

This class falls in the Biblical Studies track. That means this class will equip you to know and understand your Bible better.

This class will focus on the Letter of Hebrews. Join us as we explore this glorious exposition of the person and Work of Christ. In this letter we find that we can hold fast to Jesus because he’s better.

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The Temple: A Biblical Theology

This class falls in the Theology and Practice track. That means this class will equip you to know God, understand sound doctrine, and apply it to your own life.

This class will focus on the theme of God’s temple in the narrative of the Bible. See how God’s intention has always been to dwell with his people.

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Overview of the Bible

This class falls in the Christian Fundamentals track. This track seeks to equip believers with fundamental principles and doctrines to follow Christ in all of life. 

This class will give an overview of the entire Bible starting with the Old Testament this Fall. We will trace the story of Redemption to better understand who God is, who his people are, and how all of Scripture is pointing to Christ as it’s center.

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Highland Park Men’s Ministry

WATCHMEN

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17

Highland Park Men’s Ministry exists to bring men together for discipleship and encouragement; to grow in relationship with the Lord, leadership in families, service in the local church, and witness in the community (Prov. 27:17; 2 Tim. 2:2).

We accomplish these goals by:

  • Discipleship Groups/Bible Studies
  • Fellowship Events
  • Service Opportunities

For more information about this ministry, please speak to someone at the Welcome Desk or contact the church office at (402) 564-5853.

Men’s Bible Studies

Men’s Discipleship Group

This discipleship study is meeting weekly. Please contact the church office for more information.

Men’s Events

Keep checking back for events.

Highland Park Women’s Ministry

“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105

Our goal is to help women go deeper in their relationship with Jesus and each other.

We accomplish these goals by:

  • Bible Studies
  • Selah Groups
  • Fellowship Events
  • Service Opportunities

For more information about this ministry, please contact Ronda Ryan or Melissa States.

Contact Ronda
Contact Melissa

Women’s Bible/Book Studies

A variety of Bible and Book studies are held through the week.

Bible & Book Studies

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Women’s Class

Keep Checking Back

Women’s Events

Second Saturday Gathering- 9:30am at 38th Street Coffee

Equipping Classes

Care Groups

Children's Ministries

Missions

Royal Family KIDS

Student Ministries

Worship Team

Cindy Ragonese

Deacon

Cindy serves in the management of the 38th Street Coffee shop. She and her husband Chris have two married children, Garrett (Jessi) and Anna (Kyson Krepel). Cindy has one grandson, Nolan.

Jed States

Deacon

Jed serves in our Usher Ministry. Jed is married to Melissa and has three daughters, Adelynn, Makenzie, Hannah, and one son, Asher.

Tim Birkel

Deacon

Tim serves in Sound/Worship technology running sound for Sunday morning and overseeing the sound/technology team. He and his wife Jnel, have three daughters: Elisha (married to Andrew Davis), Shayna, Melea (married to Zach Weinmeister), and are foster parents to one son, Jeff Coughtry. They are grandparents to 6 adorable grandchildren.

Jnel Birkel

Deacon

Jnel serves in Compassion/Fellowship ministry organizing and overseeing meals provided for funerals and other church wide fellowship events. Jnel is married to Tim and they have three children: Elisha (married to Andrew Davis), Shayna, Melea (married to Zach Weinmeister), and are foster parents to one son, Jeff Coughtry. They are grandparents to 6 adorable grandchildren.

Mark Brady

Elder

Mark serves with Pastor Adrian in the youth ministry. Mark and his wife Lana have three children, Carter, Elliot, and Graham.

Matt Stoeckle

Elder

Matt serves with Pastor Adrian in Adult Equipping classes. He and wife, Cindy, have 3 adult children, daughter Callie and twin sons, Noah and Nicholas.

Mark Kasik

Elder

Mark is involved in Men’s Ministry aside from serving on the Elder Board. Mark and his wife, Louise, have 6 grown children, 4 of which are married, and 5 grandchildren.

Brian Christensen

Church Chairman, Elder

Brian serves as Church Chairman and as an advisor for the elder team in general. He and his wife, Sue, have 3 children, Kyle (married to Jerica), Anne, Grace and 3 wonderful grandchildren.

Joy Escen

Children's Ministry Assistant

Joy works alongside the Children’s Ministry Director and provides support and assistance in the areas of Children’s Equipping Classes, Awana, and Vacation Bible School. Joy is married to Mike and they have three boys, Eli, Carter and Brady.

Contact Joy

Cindy Stoeckle

Administrative Assistant

Cindy works closely with the pastors of church as an administrative assistant providing support for them in their areas of ministry. Cindy is married to Matt and they have three adult children, Callie and twins, Noah and Nick.

Contact Cindy

Sue Christensen

Worship Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Deacon

Sue serves as the Worship Coordinator and deacon, planning musical worship with our Senior Pastor and organizing the worship teams. Sue also serves as an administrative assistant for finance and is involved in women’s discipleship. Sue is married to Brian and has three children, Kyle and wife, Jerica, Anne and Grace and is a happy grandma to Margot Ruth, Nels Iver, and Mads Jordan. 

Contact Sue

Kevin Bennett

Associate Pastor

Kevin oversees the care for our seniors within the congregation. He and his wife Joan, have four grown children and ten grandchildren.

Contact Kevin

Adrian Owen

Associate Pastor

Adrian attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College where he earned his BA in Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity in 2022. Adrian joined Highland Park in 2023 and serves on staff as an Associate Pastor. His specific areas of oversight include student ministries, equipping ministries, and member care. He and his wife Melody have been married since 2019. Together they enjoy reading, watching movies, and going on coffee dates. They have one child, Anselm.

Contact Adrian

Jonathan Niles

Associate Pastor

Jonathan graduated from Hastings College in Hastings, NE (BA) in 2001 and has received his master’s degree in Theology and Biblical Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jonathan joined the staff of Highland Park in 2016. Jonathan has oversight of Highland Park Children’s Ministries, the church facility,  and he and his wife direct the Royal Family KIDS ministry. Jonathan also works closely with the other pastors and the elders in the counseling ministry. He and his wife Cristine have three daughters, Emily, Abigail and Sara.

Contact Jonathan

Michael Escen

Senior Pastor

Mike studied at Master’s University (BA) and The Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles, CA where he received his Master of Divinity in 2010. That same year, he began his tenure at Highland Park serving for 3 years as Pastor of Student Ministries. He has been in the role of Senior Pastor since 2013. As Senior Pastor, he has oversight for the mission and vision of the church as a whole and is responsible for the preaching of the Word each week. He delights in seeing the Spirit of God work through the proclamation of His Word. He and his wife Joy have three boys- Eli, Carter, and Brady.

Contact Mike