Staff & Interns
Gabe Kasper
Lead Pastor
Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers. He and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Pastor Gabe to give you his starting 11 for the 2022 World Cup!
Marcus Lane
Campus Pastor
Marcus grew up west of the Twin Cities in Waconia, MN. Before joining the staff at ULC in the fall of 2019, he spent four years serving as a pastor in Seattle, WA. In addition to preaching, teaching, and pastoral care duties, Marcus serves the mission of ULC by leading our campus outreach efforts to the University of Michigan. Outside of his work, Marcus enjoys watching the NBA, all things hip hop, and is happy to share his love of sneakers with anyone willing to listen. Marcus and his wife Vanessa live here in Ann Arbor with their two kids Della and Jude.
Marcus Lane
Campus Pastor
Marcus grew up west of the Twin Cities in Waconia, MN. Before joining the staff at ULC in the fall of 2019, he spent four years serving as a pastor in Seattle, WA. In addition to preaching, teaching, and pastoral care duties, Marcus serves the mission of ULC by leading our campus outreach efforts to the University of Michigan. Outside of his work, Marcus enjoys watching the NBA, all things hip hop, and is happy to share his love of sneakers with anyone willing to listen. Marcus and his wife Vanessa live here in Ann Arbor with their two kids Della and Jude.
Karen Berger
Common Cup Ministry Manager
Karen is from Palatine, a Northwest suburb of Chicago, IL – GO CUBS! After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Stage Management from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music she worked as a freelance Stage Manager in Chicago for several years before deciding to change courses and move to Michigan. Karen became involved in The Common Cup ministry as a barista at the beginning of 2015 and took over as the manager in the summer of 2016 where she is now focused on daily operations and exploring ways to improve and grow the reach of the ministry. Karen is incredibly grateful for her wonderful family and loves playing card games. Come play cribbage with her anytime, she’s in The Common Cup more often than not.
Hannah Maxey
Director of Operations
Hannah grew up learning about God’s grace and love at a nearby Lutheran Church. She has been coming to ULC since her college days at Eastern Michigan University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology with a minor in business. After working for four years as a Child Life Specialist at CS Mott Children’s hospital, she transitioned to work at ULC. When not working, she enjoys adventuring with her husband, daughter, and their bear-like dog.
Hannah recently shifted gears to become our Director of Operations and oversees ULC facilities/rentals, business aspects of the church, and communications.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Hannah to talk about her crafting addiction!
Hannah Maxey
Director of Operations
Hannah grew up learning about God’s grace and love at a nearby Lutheran Church. She has been coming to ULC since her college days at Eastern Michigan University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology with a minor in business. After working for four years as a Child Life Specialist at CS Mott Children’s hospital, she transitioned to work at ULC. When not working, she enjoys adventuring with her husband, daughter, and their bear-like dog.
Hannah recently shifted gears to become our Director of Operations and oversees ULC facilities/rentals, business aspects of the church, and communications.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Hannah to talk about her crafting addiction!
Charissa Hasper
Director of Worship Arts
Charissa is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Music Education. She wants to eventually teach middle/high school choir. Charissa loves sweaters, hot beverages, and laughter. In her free time, you can probably find her working out, watching movies/tv shows, or talking very loudly somewhere.
Charissa primarily works with ULC’s music—she leads weekly worship and organizes monthly Night of Praise. She also plans and coordinates student events, retreats, and small activities.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Charissa what shows she’s watching or books she’s reading!
Missional Leadership Institute
Missional Leadership Institute
Anna Dickhudt
MLI Intern
Anna is in her 2nd year at Washtenaw Community College and attends the Young Adult Program. She is a happy, hard-worker. As an intern at ULC, she prepares communion trays, cleans up after communion, cleans the nursery and it’s toys, helps with breakfast, and attends bible study. In her free time, you can find her in Zumba class, bowling, swimming, or in drama class.
Year Goals: To learn more about kitchen work because she loves to cook, and to make friends through her faith.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask her about where she was born, where she’s lived, or foods that she likes to eat!
Danielle Behnke
MLI Intern
Danielle is a senior at UofM double majoring in German and English. She is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and always willing to take on an odd job. At ULC, she plays the organ on Sunday mornings, leads and oversees youth Confirmation, co-leads Middle School Bible Study, and leads a campus Community group. In her free time, you can find her reading, knitting, or playing board games with friends.
Year Goals: She wants to further the musical excellence of the 8a gathering and allow more opportunities for people to serve musically, while also gaining a deeper understanding of youth ministry within the church.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask her about the book she’s reading or her current knitting project. Or if you really want something niche, talk to her about corduroy or fabrics in general!
Elizabeth (Liz) Trent
MLI Intern
Liz is a senior at Concordia University studying Marketing. She is passionate, adaptable, and empathetic. At ULC, she operates the Livestream and sound on Sundays, helps run our social media accounts, helps organize Alpha, and helps create our bulletins and announcements. In her free time, you can find her running on Concordia’s XC/ Track teams, reading, hammocking, and watching Christmas movies year-round.
Year Goals: To continue to grow and adapt the ULC values and mission into my own faith walk, and help others do the same.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask her about her running stats/ goals, or places she wants to travel!
Emily Knickelbein
MLI Intern
Emily is a 2nd-year student at Washtenaw Community College studying Liberal Arts. She is hardworking and detail-oriented. Emily’s focuses as an intern at ULC are in meal coordination, kids ministry, night of praise, and student events. In her free time, you can find her at the common cup, thinking about Alaska, hanging out with friends, and doing random art projects.
Year Goals: To not only continue strengthening my faith, but also live out my faith in a very real and practical way; making my faith a lifestyle in the way that I work, socialize, and learn
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask her about cosmetology, basketball, running, travel (specifically Alaska), big family stuff, or bears!
Madison (Madi) Carter
MLI Intern
Madi is a sophomore at UofM majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Mandarin and Crime and Justice. She is detail oriented, flexible/team player, and independent. At ULC, Madi helps lead high school bible study on Sunday mornings with Justin Beemer, helps schedule, train, and check in on Sunday morning volunteers, focuses on increasing campus presence at U of M and help organize ULC events on campus, and helping create ULC’s prison ministry as one of our three sending projects of the year. In her limited free time, you can find her watching TV and movies with her roommate, or trying a new restaurant in Ann Arbor.
Year Goals: Have a developed and thriving prison ministry at ULC, form more connections with ULC residents, bring more younger students to ULC through campus presence, and get to know ULC’s high schoolers better.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask Madi about her experience living on a horse farm her whole life. Or ask her why The Godfather is her favorite movie of all time!
Max Kline
MLI Intern
Max is a sophomore at UofM studying electrical engineering. He is an enthusiastic worker who loves serving in this ministry. He thinks this is a great opportunity to take on more responsibility within the church and that enthusiasm and vigor is present in his work. As an intern at ULC, Max co-leads the Kid’s Ministry with Emily, works on sending events with House N2 Home, organizes a monthly Pubology event, and also holds a weekly community group.In his free time, he enjoys studying in the Union, playing the French Horn, morning runs around the A2/Ypsi area and attending non-Lutheran church services to widen his theological perspectives.
Year Goals: His biggest goal this year as an intern is deepening ULC’s relationship with HN2H. He believes they have a great groundwork for us as a church to support through donations and volunteer service with move-in events.
☕ Need a conversation starter? Ask him about his time in the Michigan Marching Band!