Staff

our leadership

Our Pastors
are partners in marriage, parenting, & pastoring First Immanuel since 2001.

Pastor Aaron Couch
grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA before earning a masters degree in biblical languages from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He trained for pastoral ministry at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and he has served congregations in California, New Mexico, and Oregon. In each setting he has been fortunate to learn from friends and mentors who have shared a global, servant, passionate faith. He loves working with the Bible in its original languages and sharing what he has learned through teaching and preaching. He enjoys reading, hiking, brewing beer, and being a dad.
pastoraaron@firstimmanuelluth.org

Pastor Melinda Wagner
grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Bates College in Maine and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She has served parishes in New Mexico and Oregon. She has a passion for preaching, holds a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and regularly teaches at the graduate level in the field of preaching. Melinda is energized by the challenge to communicate God’s good news in every way possible. Some of her greatest joys in ministry include teaching, Bible study, leading worship, and walking with people through the significant events of their lives. She also enjoys reading, dancing, gardening, and being a mom.
pastormelinda@firstimmanuelluth.org

Our Staff