Meet the Staff
Brian Doten
Pastor
Brian Doten loves pastoring Northwood Church and came to the position of Senior Pastor after 25 years on staff at Northwood’s parent church, Wooddale, in Eden Prairie. Brian is married to Kris and they have three college age children. Brian is into landscaping and mowing his lawn four different directions so it looks like a baseball field. Beyond that, Brian keeps active through running and other forms of training. Outside of Northwood Church Brian is adjunct faculty at Bethel Seminary, President of Bethel Seminary’s Alumni Council and serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals. Like Youth Pastor Luke Trouten, Brian loves good Chinese food, but also has a special place in his heart and stomach for BBQ.
Mark Collier
Outreach Pastor
Mark is the Outreach Pastor at Northwood, as well as the president of Inverted Arts, a new non profit that empowers young people trapped by poverty by giving them a voice through the arts. He is also pursuing a Masters of Arts in Global Leadership through Fuller Seminary. He is learning to spend his life instead of save it, and trying to help others do the same. He is married to Kathy, and has two children, James and Grace . Mark loves music, hockey, and laughing out loud.
Christine Junod
Children's Pastor
Christine has been a children and family pastor since 1997. Her passion is equipping kids to develop an unshakable faith that they experience in their everyday lives. Christine is also a seminar speaker and curriculum author focusing on parenting and faith application. She celebrates life with her supportive husband Steve and two children, born ten years apart. She loves family time, humor, decorating and writing. When you stop by, she will probably ask you to join her in playing with the toys in her office.
Renee Kraemer
Office Manager
Renee is the glue that holds the Northwood office together. In her role as Office Manager she works on accounting, the weekly Northwood News, responding to emails, record-keeping, and keeping track of all the details necessary to making Northwood Church possible. Renee also enjoys painting, chocolate, and playing with her beautiful granddaughter.
Travis Scharn
Worship Pastor
Travis Scharn joined Northwood as Worship Pastor in 2010. He has a passion for leading the church in a lifestyle of worship. Music is infused in almost every part of Travis‘ life; just take a look at the producer’s studio that he calls his office. Travis married his high school sweetheart Sarah (which he is REALLY proud of). Playing music, BBQ, getting outdoors with his dog Lulu, and just hanging out with friends are some of his hobbies. Travis’ west coast background is reflected in his laid back personality and easy going nature.
Luke Trouten
Youth Pastor
Luke Trouten is the Youth Pastor of Northwood Church in Maple Grove, MN. He loves the unbridled energy, passion, and innocence of the teens he works with, not to mention the fact that playing mini-golf can count as work. He and his wife Katie enjoy anything that gets them outside, but especially backpacking at National Parks or canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Luke also writes for various magazines and websites, does web and graphic design, and always wants to eat Chinese food.
