Our Team
MINISTRY
Marc Sundstrom
Lead Pastor
Disciple. Husband. Father. Pastor. The order is critical, and everything that matters about me flows out of these four roles. I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ, first and foremost and have been since 2001. I am the Husband of Heather since 2002 and the Father of four energetic young boys. I am an ordained Pastor in the Wesleyan Church, serving God and His people here at Linwood Church since February of 2018.
I grew up in Newcastle, WY and have served churches in Casper, WY; Charleston, WV; and Anderson, IN but am excited to be calling Linwood home and am looking forward to ministering in Sioux Falls long into the future. I received a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from the Anderson University School of Theology in 2010 and have traveled internationally for mission trips to China, Peru and Nicaragua. When I’m not with my family or working, I’m probably running along a river somewhere.
Zach McConnell
NextGen Pastor
I believe God has created everyone for a purpose. Our identities, personalities, and beliefs are formed/challenged between the critical age of middle school and our college years. That is why I am so passionate about being in student ministries and leading our Residency program as we equip our next generation. I am honored and humbled to be the NextGen Pastor here at Linwood Church!
Born and raised in Indiana, I was called into ministry around 16 years old. I was blessed to gain my education from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) with a degree in Youth Ministries and Biblical Literature. My wife, Amanda McConnell, also graduated from IWU. I am crazy in love with her!!
I thoroughly enjoy being “Wild at Heart” and being in the outdoors – camping and hiking. I also am a diehard fan of the Indianapolis Colts and Purdue Boilermakers; I want to be on Survivor or The Amazing Race; and I can be won over with Reese’s and orange soda.
Sandy Guffin
Children's Pastor
My family (husband, Curt, and daughter, Ciyah) and I joined Linwood’s Family of Families in September of 2019. I love serving as our Children’s Pastor and leading our KidsWay children’s ministry, which ministers to children from birth through 5th Grade. I am passionate about Grief Ministry, leading several sessions of the nationally renowned GriefShare ministry each year.
I grew up in Gillette, Wyoming and moved to Sioux Falls in 2005. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and Police Sciences through the Sheridan College – Gillette Campus. My degree originally brought me to work in South Dakota with at risk children and youth in Residential Treatment facilities as well as with hurting families on the Pine Ridge, Lower Brule and Crow Creek reservations. I later went on to work for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of SD where I walked along side families of children who were receiving medical care in the Sioux Falls area. God called me in to full time ministry in 2016. I am now currently attending classes through Oklahoma Wesleyan and Kingswood University while working toward Ordination with the Wesleyan church.
Our family loves to spend our free time camping and fishing. We just enjoy being outdoors in general. Nothing better than spending time out in the beauty of God’s creation!
Michael Thiry
Worship Director
I believe one of the reasons that God gives us all different gifts, talents and passions is to help us find ways to connect with Him. I feel so blessed to be able to use my passion for music to serve such a marvelous God. I am drawn to worship ministry because no other person or thing is worthy of our praise, and it is my goal to point to Christ in all that I do. I joined as worship leader at Linwood Wesleyan Church in August of 2018 and am so excited to serve along side this family in Christ.
I am originally from St. Paul, Minnesota and have lived in the Sioux Falls area since 2007. My beautiful bride Katie and I have been blessed with two wonderful children, Serenity and Taylor. Together we enjoy the great outdoors. Gardening, kayaking, and good old-fashioned water fights are some of our favorites. When I enjoy time alone, I am likely fishing or playing guitar under a tree somewhere.
Lynee Welding
Children's Coordinator
My life has had many “bends in the road”. God has shown me his faithfulness and that he keeps his promises. I came to Linwood through GriefShare in the fall of 2023. I am excited to support Pastor Sandy and the KidsWay ministry! I have worked as a Legal Assistant and a Financial Crimes Analyst. I completed my education with National American University with a master’s degree in Management and a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies. I have some interesting stories about money laundering and insurance fraud.
I was born and raised in Sioux Falls. My journey with Christ started when my Aunt Val took me to church as a little girl. This is my first encounters with the Holy Spirit that I remember. I was 14 when I accepted Jesus as my personal savior and was baptized at First Baptist Church in 1987.
In July 1999, I married my husband, Wade, and we blended our children into a family. My son Joshua was born in 1996. Between 2001 and 2002, we welcomed our daughters, Allyssa and KaSarah, to our family. In April 2003, our lives completely changed. Wade was diagnosed by Mayo Clinic with Pulmonary Hypertension. His doctors advised this disease was terminal and gave him a 5-year life expectancy. But God had other plans! Through God’s strength and faithfulness, Wade fought PH for over 20 years. Jesus blessed us through the challenges that chronic illness brings and extended his life 15 years longer than initially projected. Wade passed away on May 30, 2023. We were married for 23 years, he saw all his children graduate from high school, and Josh’s wedding to Hope. Josh and Hope welcomed my grandson Parker in June 2023. Wade’s life was an example to me, his family, and others that how through God’s faithfulness, we can find His light, strength, and hope in the darkest places of our lives.
God has blessed my journey as a widow. He has turned my heart ache, loneliness, and sorrow into an enriched life. I am trusting Him with the full belief that I am not alone. I am looking forward to seeing what God has planned for my family on this side of Heaven.
I am a lifelong learner. I enjoy researching history and traveling to places that have historical roots. My hobbies include singing, reading, and taking care of my kitties: Bella, Honey, Marmalade, and Maurice.
Keith & Saundra Nash
Pastoral Care
I want to be known first as a son of God in Christ. Saundra and I have been married for 46 years and have three grown sons and six grandchildren who are the joy of our lives. After 44 years of pastoral ministry, we have been serving as missionaries with the Wesleyan Church in Nepal, and currently located in Mitchell, SD. Since 2018, we have been thoroughly enjoying pastoring responsibilities here at Linwood, first as the interim pastor and now in the area of Pastoral Care.
Both Saundra and I grew up in north central Kansas, and both graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University—Saundra with an Elementary Education degree and me (Keith) with a degree in Pastoral Ministry. Since then we have pastored three churches, two in Iowa and the Mitchell Wesleyan Church for 32 years, before spending a year in the beautiful country of Nepal as missionaries. Saundra loves hosting friends in our home, and I have enjoyed motorcycling, reading, astronomy, and chocolate over the years. The path of life God has led us down has been a wonderful adventure, and our participation with the Linwood Church family has added a delightful new chapter to our lives.
ADMINISTRATION
Jodi Hildebrand
Office Manager
Working at a church is not new to me, but having the opportunity to be working back at one, has been a blessing.
My career began on a production floor. From there I was able to advance into the office and the rest is history.
I moved to the southeast corner of the state in the late 90’s and with that adventure bought an acreage. Being a huge animal person, it didn’t take me long to have many pets. I do imagine when I go to heaven, I will be surrounded by so many animals, my human connections won’t be able to see me.
2020 brought many changes to all of us, but especially me. I took a bad situation and decided to make something positive out of it. At the coaxing of family, I sold my acreage and moved to this area. My venture then brought me to Linwood. I couldn’t be happier in the decision as all of you have really made me feel part of the “Family of Families.”
Ashley Vermeer
Rentals Coordinator
My husband, Ben, and I joined Linwood’s team in 2022. Ben handles setups and takedowns while I handle communication and scheduling.
We frequently serve as volunteers on the worship team since we started attending Linwood in 2017: Ben on sound, me singing or playing violin.
We are grateful that we can serve God and our church in these ways.
I grew up in Sanborn, Iowa, and Ben grew up in Pipestone, Minnesota. We met at Dordt University and got married in 2019. I taught elementary and middle school orchestra for four years before our daughter Clara joined our family in 2022. Since then, I have enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom, private music lesson teacher, and facilities director. Ben has worked at Showplace Cabinetry since 2017. As a family, we enjoy reading, playing board and card games, and being outside.
RESIDENCY
Zach Koch
Resident Pastor
The journey of being part of Linwood’s family of families started when I became the summer intern back in 2022. I’m excited to continue this journey of seeing life transformation in students’ lives, in the church and in the community of Sioux Falls, while learning and growing in my ability to be a Youth Pastor.
I grew up in Northeast Iowa and came to know Christ on December 4, of 2017. I attended Indiana Wesleyan University and studied Youth Ministry while serving and running a youth group at the same time. I enjoy and find rest being in the outdoors. My hobbies are fishing, camping, hiking, longboard, and playing sports. I also enjoying a good board game or video game session with friends.
TayLee Grimes
Resident Pastor
I was introduced to Linwood while at college. It was there that I felt God calling me to their residency program. I’m excited to grow and learn while here in Sioux Falls in both worship and pastoral leadership as I grow stronger as a Worship Pastor.
I’m from a very small town in New York State in the middle of nowhere. I grew up as a pastor’s kid, having a working mother, and three younger brothers. At Southern Wesleyan University, I graduated with a degree in Worship Music and a minor in ministry. At a local church, I volunteered in the worship team and Sunday morning children’s church. A few things that I enjoy are crocheting, video games, traveling, and trying new things. A picnic with Jesus surrounded by nature is my favorite way to connect with God.