New to Us?
New to Holy Cross Lutheran Church?
Welcome to our church services at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN. If you are new to our community or are interested in becoming a member, we are more than happy to warmly welcome you into our congregation. We know that trying a church for the first time can be difficult or even awkward, especially if you haven’t been to a worship gathering in a while. We want to make the transition a little easier. Are you wondering about what we believe and if Holy Cross is right for you? No problem! Call or email us to set up a time to meet. We’ll sit down and buy you a cup of coffee. You name the time and place, and we will pick up the tab.
About Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Welcome to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN. Our mission of the Lutheran Church is to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ by nurturing the faithful, seeking the lost, and showing compassion to all. Our church was founded in 1890 and has been seeking to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with one and all. We are currently a congregation of more than 1000 souls. The congregation was originally located by the campus of St. Cloud State University but now enjoys a new home on the South Side of St. Cloud on Clearwater Rd. We share God’s love through action. Our primary objective and focus are to provide for those in need of food, shelter, medical care, and life skills, achieved via outreach by action through fundraising and community involvement.
What to Expect
- Christ-centered worship and biblical preaching
- Worship services are Sundays 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
- Sunday School and Bible Study 9:15 AM
- Traditional hymns and Liturgical Worship
- Our worship is a gathering of the family of God. People of every age are invited to attend!
- Children’s message every Sunday service
- Communion is served on the first and third Sunday of the month. (Please speak with our pastor before the service if you would like to receive communion.)
Our Staff
Zach Hoffman
Senior Pastor
I have served at Holy Cross since June of 2021. We are blessed to be a part of a community that feels like family! I am most excited for the opportunity to preach the resurrection of the dead, developing leaders for the church, and partner with families and individuals to pass the faith on to the next generation. My wife, Tracie, and I have four kids and a dog. I love hiking, backpacking, reading, and disc golf. We invite you to join us on Sundays to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and to find a family for your walk with Jesus!
Teri O'Connor
Office Manager
I have been at Holy Cross since November 2009. I am privileged to work with the Outreach and Compassion teams here at Holy Cross along with my other duties in the office. My wonderful husband, Tim, and I have been married since 2000. We have a son, Christian, whose musical talents are amazing. In my free time, I enjoy helping out with Christian's Boy Scout Troop, hosting craft days here at Holy Cross, camping, gardening, and hanging out at the lake.
Renee Bacon
Youth Director
I am blessed to be working with the wonderful youth here at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. I truly enjoy helping our youth grow in their faith in Jesus Christ and feel equipped to face the world outside our church walls. We have fun learning together and bonding in our Christian faith and friendships. My family and I joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in July 2001 and have felt at home here ever since. My husband, Brad, and I have two wonderful adult children, Chandler and Ciera. Some of my hobbies include spending time with our family, reading, scrapbooking, and walking.
Kim Essington
Preschool Teacher & Director
My husband, Steve, and I have been members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church since 1997. We have been blessed with two children, Scott and Karley. I have enjoyed teaching for Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool at the Holy Cross site since it began in 2002. I have been the Preschool Director since 2012.
Mic Brunner
Music Director
I have served as the Music Director for Holy Cross since 2023. In this role, I coordinate music for worship services, direct the senior choir, and direct the handbell choir. Music is an integral part of Lutheran worship; Martin Luther said, "Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music." I have bachelor's degrees in music, education, and math, a master's degree in education, and I'm working on my doctorate degree in education as well. I also work in student affairs at St. Cloud State University. I am originally from Prior Lake, MN, and in 2021 my family and I moved to the St. Cloud area. I met my wife Marissa in college (she attended Concordia Wisconsin and I attended Concordia Chicago). We have three wonderful sons, Asher, JP, and Silas.
Joanne Froelke
Head Organist
I’ve always felt blessed to be part of many church congregations, but Holy Cross, officially since 1978, has been home. I was born and raised in my elementary years in Regina, SK, Canada, where my father was a pastor. We moved to Iowa for a few years and then to Pine City, MN, just two days before my freshman year in school. During my junior year, I started dating my future husband, Greg. I attended St. Cloud State University and graduated with an elementary education degree and a music and physical education minor. I taught 6 ½ years with the Rocori Public School system. Our second child was born, and I retired from teaching to help my husband with our business and be a stay-at-home mom. For many years, when our three children were younger, I volunteered to do the music for VBS at Holy Cross. Greg and I were in High School Choir, College Concert Choir, and church choirs all our lives. I currently teach music for K-6 at a private school in St. Augusta two days a week and have for the past 16 yrs. I operate my own piano studio in my home. What a joy it is to help develop budding musicians! I thoroughly enjoy being the head organist at Holy Cross. I’m grateful my parents paid for piano lessons for me starting at age five. I know it was a hardship on a very limited salary. My hobbies are reading, sewing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and spending time at our cabin in the wilderness with our children and three granddaughters.
Nancy Lidberg
Reserve Organist
Holy Cross has been my home church since my college days at SCSU over 40 years ago. My church music experience started when I was in third grade, playing hymns for Sunday School. For six years and three summers, I played the organ for my small hometown church. Then teaching filled my life, along with being a mom to three wonderful children. Currently, I am involved with music at Holy Cross as a choir member, Sunday School, as well as a small group pianist and reserve organist.
Mary Gasser
Custodian
I have been working as a custodian here at Holy Cross since 2004. My husband Ken and I have a daughter, Jamie, and three wonderful grandchildren, Noah, Ella, and Cree. I enjoy camping, kayaking, card making, and flower gardening, being a master gardener since 2005. I also enjoy volunteering for the preschool classes during the school year.