Meet the team
Kris Schroeder
Pastor
About Kris
Pastor Kris Schroeder is a lifelong Lutheran, born and raised in California.
Pastor Kris felt the call to ministry at a young age as her home congregation and life-long pastor included children and youth in the entire life of the congregation.
Deep, God-filled relationships were developed in the midst of some of life’s most difficult moments, providing the reminder that God always keeps God’s promises and is always present.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with minors in Music & Psychology. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1997 and was ordained shortly after. She has served in both large and small congregations as a part of pastoral staff, solo pastor and interim. The first half of her ordained ministry she served as a Youth & Family, Faith Formation Pastor.
She served as Chaplain & Living Donor Advocate at Mayo Clinic in Arizona for 8 years. This provided the opportunity to enhance her abilities in conflict resolution, pastoral care and teaching adults.
She has a strong passion for collaborative and relational ministry that integrates all ages and places an emphasis on the discovery and utilization of our God-given gifts.
Pastor Kris loves music as it provides energy, direction and inspiration. She is also an author, who published her autobiography the end of 2015 speaking to the hope and miracles of Jesus in her life. As child of God, it was one avenue to share with the world who Jesus is and what Jesus can do!
Pastor Kris felt the call to ministry at a young age as her home congregation and life-long pastor included children and youth in the entire life of the congregation.
Deep, God-filled relationships were developed in the midst of some of life’s most difficult moments, providing the reminder that God always keeps God’s promises and is always present.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with minors in Music & Psychology. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1997 and was ordained shortly after. She has served in both large and small congregations as a part of pastoral staff, solo pastor and interim. The first half of her ordained ministry she served as a Youth & Family, Faith Formation Pastor.
She served as Chaplain & Living Donor Advocate at Mayo Clinic in Arizona for 8 years. This provided the opportunity to enhance her abilities in conflict resolution, pastoral care and teaching adults.
She has a strong passion for collaborative and relational ministry that integrates all ages and places an emphasis on the discovery and utilization of our God-given gifts.
Pastor Kris loves music as it provides energy, direction and inspiration. She is also an author, who published her autobiography the end of 2015 speaking to the hope and miracles of Jesus in her life. As child of God, it was one avenue to share with the world who Jesus is and what Jesus can do!
Randall Fields
Director of Music Ministries
Choir Director
Choir Director
About Randall
Randall conducts the choir and oversees the music program at Messiah Lutheran.
Prior to moving to Madison, Randall served in Episcopal, Nazarene, Presbyterian (USA), and United Methodist parishes.
In addition to his role at the church, Randall also teaches choral music and class piano at Bob Jones High School where ensembles under his direction have won national competitions in Atlanta, Branson, Nashville, Washington, DC, and Williamsburg, and have performed in such culturally significant venues as Carnegie Hall, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A member of American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), American Guild of Organists, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and National Association for Music Education, he is past President of the Alabama Vocal Association, and serves as Youth Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Alabama chapter of ACDA.
Randall holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and a Master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Alabama. He attributes his lifelong love of church music to heredity, as his earliest memories of church involve his mother playing piano while his sister sang solos at the church where his father was Pastor.
To inquire about being a part of one of the musical ensembles or to audition as a solo performer or cantor, please contact Randall at musicdirector@mlutheran.org.
Prior to moving to Madison, Randall served in Episcopal, Nazarene, Presbyterian (USA), and United Methodist parishes.
In addition to his role at the church, Randall also teaches choral music and class piano at Bob Jones High School where ensembles under his direction have won national competitions in Atlanta, Branson, Nashville, Washington, DC, and Williamsburg, and have performed in such culturally significant venues as Carnegie Hall, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A member of American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), American Guild of Organists, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and National Association for Music Education, he is past President of the Alabama Vocal Association, and serves as Youth Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Alabama chapter of ACDA.
Randall holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and a Master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Alabama. He attributes his lifelong love of church music to heredity, as his earliest memories of church involve his mother playing piano while his sister sang solos at the church where his father was Pastor.
To inquire about being a part of one of the musical ensembles or to audition as a solo performer or cantor, please contact Randall at musicdirector@mlutheran.org.
Melanie Payne
Accompanist
Organist
Organist
About Melanie
For nearly 30 years, Melanie Payne has served in many facets of church music ministry throughout North Alabama: as a music director, alto/soprano choir leader and soloist, and as an organist/pianist/ accompanist.
Additionally, Melanie teaches piano and voice and coaches singers in musical theatre, and opera. Melanie began serving Messiah Lutheran in November, 2023.
Additionally, Melanie teaches piano and voice and coaches singers in musical theatre, and opera. Melanie began serving Messiah Lutheran in November, 2023.
Bobbey Huwaldt
Office Manager
Jan Morrison
Communications Director
About Jan
Jan Morrison supports nonprofits, churches, and artists achieve their marketing and fundraising goals.
With a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, she applies her inquisitive nature with a heart for service to make the world a better place.
Before arriving in Huntsville, she was in Abilene, TX and Nashville where she gained her experience.
It’s a good thing Jan has plenty of energy. On top of generating revenue for nonprofits, she tries to keep up with her ever-expanding reading list and busy kiddo.
With a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, she applies her inquisitive nature with a heart for service to make the world a better place.
Before arriving in Huntsville, she was in Abilene, TX and Nashville where she gained her experience.
It’s a good thing Jan has plenty of energy. On top of generating revenue for nonprofits, she tries to keep up with her ever-expanding reading list and busy kiddo.
Chris Elegante
IT Director
About Chris
Chris provides support and new technological solutions to ensure Messiah Lutheran can successfully pursue its mission.
A Huntsville native, he obtained a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University before returning to his hometown.
Chris has since worked in a variety of tech related jobs involving engineering, software development, and information technology.
When not troubleshooting tech, Chris enjoys cooking and working on projects around the house.
A Huntsville native, he obtained a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University before returning to his hometown.
Chris has since worked in a variety of tech related jobs involving engineering, software development, and information technology.
When not troubleshooting tech, Chris enjoys cooking and working on projects around the house.
