Staff – Immanuel Lutheran Church and School

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor Joe Naumann is a fifth generation pastor who grew up in Alaska and Wisconsin. He was baptized at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN and was confirmed at Luther Memorial Church in Fond du Lac, WI. He attended high school at Immanuel Lutheran High School in Eau Claire, graduating in 2008.

In 2013, he graduated from Immanuel Lutheran College with an Associate of Arts Degree in Pre-Theological. In 2014, he vicared at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Saginaw, MI. In 2015, he vicared at Berea Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights, MN. In 2016, he graduated from Immanuel Lutheran Seminary and was called to serve as Pastor at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN.

He serves as vice-president of the Church of the Lutheran Confession.

Pastor Naumann married Rachel Sydow in 2014. He and Rachel have been blessed with four children: Eleanor, Olivia, Samson, and Adelaide.

(920) 266-5386
joseph.naumann@immanuelmankato.org

Nathanael Mayhew graduated from Immanuel Lutheran College (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) in May, 1998 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Pre-Theology. In 2001 he graduated from Immanuel Lutheran Seminary in Eau Claire.

In 2002 he accepted the call to serve Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville, GA where he served for almost 12 years. In July 2014, he accepted the call to serve Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, and Faith Lutheran Church in New Ulm, serving them for 10 years. In May 2024, he was installed as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

He has served as a part-time missionary to East Africa and on the CLC Board of Missions.

Pastor Mayhew and his wife Debra have seven children: Luke, Katherine, Hope, Daniel, Julia, Mark, and Noah.

(404) 729-4602
nathanael.mayhew@immanuelmankato.org

Hilary Lien joined the staff in 2018. Before this she had been serving her family as a stay at home mom. Hilary was a graduate of Cannon Valley Lutheran High School, and attended Bethany Lutheran College were she pursued a history and teaching degree before marrying her husband in 2012. In addition to history, Hilary is passionate about getting outdoors and making music for the LORD!

(507) 345-3027
church@immanuelmankato.org

SCHOOL STAFF

Principal Mariner joined the staff of Immanuel in 2024 as a Physical Education and Relgion teacher. In 2025, he accepted a call to be the full time K-12 Principal at Immanuel. Mr. Mariner has previous experience in Special Education teaching in the Mankato Public School district.

(507) 317-0805
rick.mariner@immanuelmankato.org

Michael Wheaton was called to teach Grades 1 & 2 at Immanuel in 1997. In 2025 he was appointed to Assistant Principal and accepted a one year call to teach K-10 PE, 9/10 Health & 1/2 Math. Mr. Wheaton has been a lifelong member of Immanuel – Mankato, and is an alumnus of the Elementary and High School Programs. He graduated from Immanuel High School in 1990. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Mathematics from Mankato State University in 1995. Mr. Wheaton has coached and been actively involved with the Drama Club.

michael.wheaton@immanuelmankato.org

Amanda Harris is a 1991 graduate of Immanuel Lutheran School. She previously taught elementary Phy. Ed. for 11 years and served as the elementary athletic director. She is currently the school secretary.

(507) 345-3027
secretary@immanuelmankato.org

Erika Hart was called to teach Kindergarten in 2021. She graduated from St. John Fischer College with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in childhood education and special education. She went on to receive her licensure and teach at a Christian school in Virginia, where Erika taught first and sixth grade. As a dimension of the foundation for lifelong learning, Erika is a strong advocate of improving children’s early literacy development.

erika.hart@immanuelmankato.org

Debra Mayhew teaches first and second grade as well as elementary art. A graduate of Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, WI, Debra’s first call was to marriage and motherhood. She gained valuable teaching experience during the years she homeschooled her seven children from 2003-2014. Later on, Debra taught at Grace Lutheran School in Sleepy Eye, MN, from 2017-2025, beginning as their Preschool/Kindergarten teacher and ending as the language arts teacher for grades K-8. Debra’s prayer for her students is that their faith would be nurtured each day and become a solid foundation for this life and the life to come.

debra.mayhew@immanuelmankato.org

Lane Fischer’s primary teaching responsibilities include teaching Grades 3 & 4, Music 7/8, and High School Music Appreciation. Mr. Fischer also directs ILHS Choir and the handbell choirs. Mr. Fischer is an alumnus of Immanuel Lutheran High School. He received two BS degrees–both in Elementary Education–one from Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, WI, and a second from MSU Mankato. In addition, Mr. Fischer has his MS in Curriculum and Instruction from MSU Mankato.

lane.fischer@immanuelmankato.org

Stephanie Roettger was called to teach 5th and 6th grade in 2021. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University in Mankato in 2014, and is licensed to teach K-6. Stephanie is a graduate of Immanuel Lutheran School, and has continued to be involved in both the church and school. She taught Kindergarten at Immanuel from 2015-2021, and also served as the director for our high school Drama Club from 2012-2022. Stephanie’s desire is that the students of Immanuel will grow each day not only in knowledge, but in love and faithfulness for God.

stephanie.roettger@immanuelmankato.org

Julie Busch has been teaching at Immanuel since 2011. She currently teaches 7^th and 8^th grade math, science, art, and health and 9^th and 10^th grade Algebra 2 and geometry. Prior to this, she taught junior high math at Waseca Junior High School. She has also coached swimming, volleyball, and basketball in the Mankato community. Mrs. Busch is an alumnus of Immanuel Lutheran School. She received her BS in Teaching Mathematics from MSU in 2000 with a minor in athletic coaching. Mrs. Busch has been active in the school’s athletic program. She served as an Athletic Director from 2008-2012, has coached volleyball and basketball, and served as a director for the Christian Athletic League tournament that was held annually at Immanuel. Mrs. Busch’s prayer is that students at Immanuel not only grow in their knowledge of academics but that they grow in their love and knowledge of Christ as their Savior.

julie.busch@immanuelmankato.org

Mrs. Greve joined the Immanuel staff in 2013. She graduated from Ripon College in Ripon, WI, with a major in German Education and a minor in English Education. She taught middle school English for five years in Page, AZ, before teaching ninth grade English for four years in Phoenix, AZ. Currently, Mrs. Greve teaches English 7-10, English 11-12 (British and American Literature), and German 1 and 2. She is also in charge of Immanuel’s annual yearbook.

beth.greve@immanuelmankato.org

Kevin Schrader has taught high school Spanish, math, and science at Immanuel since 2021. He graduated in 2018 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. He spent three years as an engineer for National Instruments in Austin, TX, before accepting the call to teach and moving to Mankato. Currently, Kevin teaches Spanish I & II, Physics, Chemistry, Precalculus, Biology, and Physical Science. He hopes to inspire students to see the hand of our God throughout His creation.

kevin.schrader@immanuelmankato.org

Benjamin Hanel graduated high school in 2001 from Immanuel Lutheran School, Mankato. After that, he served eight years Active Duty Air Force as a Mechanic and Technician. Two of those years were spent writing and conducting a training curriculum for new Airmen to be integrated into their new career fields. He graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ with a BA in History. He has a passion for history and seeks to show students the impact it has on their everyday life and how God’s hand is visible throughout history. Mr. Hanel organizes the annual junior class trip to Washington, D.C. He teaches high school history, geography, social studies, and computer. 2023 Golden Apple Winner.

benjamin.hanel@immanuelmankato.org

Paul Nolting recently retired after forty-five years in the active pastoral/teaching ministry. He served parishes in South Dakota and Nebraska for fourteen years, taught at Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, WI for ten years, and served Immanuel parish in Mankato for twenty-one years. He is a graduate of Immanuel Lutheran College and Seminary in Eau Claire, WI as well as a graduate with both a BA in German and an MA in History from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. He is married, has four adult children, and fifteen grandchildren. He is most recently teaching two religion classes at Immanuel Lutheran School in Mankato.

paul.nolting@immanuelmankato.org

Jackie Friedrichs has been married to her husband Mac for 14 years and has 3 kids in school at Immanuel. She has been an RN for 15 years and still works at the hospital. She loves music and hopes to instill joy for music in our students. When she’s not working, Jackie loves to garden, read, play games and snuggle with her dog Howie.

jackie.friedrichs@immanuelmankato.org

Deb Owens is an alumnus of Immanuel Lutheran School. She is a past percussion instructor for Mankato “77Lancers” and has a Bachelor’s degree in music from Mankato State University.

deb.owens@immanuelmankato.org

Bob Heller currently serves as a classroom aide in the 5th/6th grade classroom. As a retired educator, he has graduated with degrees in Sociology, Elementary Education, School Counseling, Educational Administration, and Special Education from several Minnesota and Iowa universities. Bob also uses his deep music and theater background to develop the communication skills, interpersonal skills, and confidence in students that will not only help them succeed in life, but, more importantly, assist them in doing their part to fulfill the Great Commission.

bob.heller@immanuelmankato.org

. . .

(507) 469-0345
marie.casto@immanuelmankato.org

(507) 720-1458
rmarin2@isd77.org

CHURCH STAFF

Joseph Naumann

Nathanael Mayhew

Hilary Lien

SCHOOL STAFF

Rick Mariner

Michael Wheaton

Amanda Harris

Erika Hart

Debra Mayhew

Lane Fischer

Stephanie Roettger

Julie Busch

Beth Greve

Kevin Schrader

Benjamin Hanel

Paul Nolting

Jackie Friedrichs

Deb Owens

Bob Heller

. . .

Marie Casto

Rachel Mariner

Julia Mayhew

Kirsten Mayhew