Staff | Messiah Lutheran Church

Rev. Steve Patton

Senior Pastor

Pastor Steve and his wife Myra moved to Charlotte in 2017 from Arizona, where they planted a new church. Steve finds great joy in sharing the gospel of Jesus with all people, especially those who are seeking a closer relationship with God and His Church. As senior pastor, he feels led to share the hope of Jesus’ healing power and love with all who are hurting and to equip God’s people for the work of ministry. “I truly love helping people discover where God is calling them to grow in their various vocations and situations in life.”

Steve grew up in Salem, Oregon but has been blessed to live in Alaska, Germany, Texas and Missouri before starting ministry. His first career was as a Project Manager in the Tech industry. He enjoys the outdoors and nature. Walking with his beautiful wife, biking, hiking, golfing and recently a return to running keep him active. When relaxing Steve enjoys watching sports, playing board games with the family and baking chocolate chip cookies with his two amazing daughters for new neighbors. (Fun fact: Steve once won a T-Shirt at a Karaoke contest)

(704) 541-1624, ext. 250

Rev. Roger Penny Jr.

Associate Pastor

Pastor Roger was ordained and installed as Messiah’s Associate Pastor on January 9, 2022. Returning to Charlotte in 2010 after serving for 6 years in the Air Force, he applied the mechanical background gained from fixing aircraft to working on diesel truck transmissions before answering God’s call to serve as pastor at Messiah. He and Amy were married in 2012, and in 2014 were blessed with twin girls, Zoë and Chloe.

When not studying Reformation and Patristic theology texts, Pastor Roger enjoys hiking and playing electric guitar. The “expect the unexpected” pastor, he has played diverse roles for VBS skits and other dramas with a costume closet rivaling a professional prop room. A graduate of the SMP program at Concordia, St. Louis, he looks forward to returning (online) to the seminary to complete the GPC program.

(704) 541-1624, ext. 240

Staci Welburn

Director of Family Life and Youth (Interim)

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Alyssa Breuer

Preschool Director

Alyssa Breuer is the Director of Messiah Lutheran Preschool, where she is dedicated to fostering a nurturing, Christ-centered learning environment for young children. She moved from Long Island, New York to North Carolina with her husband and four kids in 2013 and joined Messiah in 2015 as an assistant teacher. She later became the lead teacher in the Transitional Kindergarten class before stepping into her role as Director in 2022.

Alyssa is passionate about play-based early childhood education and is actively involved in expanding the preschool’s programs, including the development of a Christian-based kindergarten. She and her family are members of Messiah Lutheran Church.

(704) 541-1624, ext. 300

Melinda Lein

Director of Worship

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Bryan VanderHill

Promise (Contemporary Worship) Director

Bryan has been leading the Messiah praise team since 1998. He grew up in northeastern Ohio (go Guardians!) and attended Miami University. After recently retiring from 33 years of teaching in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (mostly 6th grade math) Bryan stays busy with home projects, yard work, songwriting, and music leadership in Kairos Prison Ministry and Via de Cristo spiritual retreats. Bryan and his wife, Karen, have been married 40+ years and have been blessed with two daughters, Reagan and Kelsey.

Barbara Ames

Parish Administrator

(704) 541-1624, ext. 210

Molly Schultz

Director of Worship Technology

Noy Long

Custodian