Erv pastored Messiah Lutheran Church in Clio his entire ministry after graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1965. He is since retired and celebrating 50 years in the ministry. Messiah grew under the Spirits direction from a mission congregation with a weekly worship of 45 to a weekly worship of over 850 by the time of formal retirement, with multiple staff and ministries. Erv and Carolyn have four children and five granddaughters.

Joel graduated from Concordia seminary, St. Louis in 1985 and took his first call to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eagle, NE, where he led that 90 year-old congregation through a successful relocation and building program. In 1994, he was called to be the first pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Coopersville, MI. Grace dedicated its first facility in 2000 and continues to grow and make disciples for Christ in the Coopersville area. Joel and his wife Joni have three children.