North Center Staff
Stan Weese, Senior Pastor
Stan has been the pastor of North Center since January, 1989, moving here from Maryland, where he had pastored a church for 10 years. His passion is to lead North Center to fulfill its vision to glorify God through making disciples.
Stan has a M.A. in Bible and a M.S. in counseling psychology. As an undergraduate he had a double major in Bible and in secondary education. Stan taught high school English and psychology classes for five years.
Some of Stan’s favorite things are reading (especially historical biographies), watching Twins and Vikings games, and golfing (even though he’s terrible). In the summer he enjoys his Sunday afternoon drive with his wife, Carol, along the “chain of lakes,” concluding with watching the “Improv in the Park” at Lake Harriett. In the winter he and Carol enjoy their Friday night outings to the discount theater.
Stan and Carol have a daughter, Amie, and a son, David, and two granddaughters, Emma and Grace.
Terry Stephens, Associate Pastor for Discipleship Development
Terry is very thankful that, after 17 years as a Honeywell employee, the Lord allowed him to fulfill his dream of completing a seminary education. Terry has a BA from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary. He designed a Bible study, Biblical Foundations for Discipleship Development. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Leadership at Bethel Baptist Seminary.
Terry and his family have been part of North Center since 2006. He and Lee-Ann have been married for 23 years and have two teenage children.
Jessica Pesola, Worship Minister
Jessica Jarus Pesola is a Ministry Major with Music Emphasis graduate from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. She got her start in leading worship at Northwestern and has continued on to consistently lead communities such as: Wooddale Church (The Gathering), New Hope Church (Fusion), as well as, a variety of camps, music festivals, youth conferences, retreats, etc. She is currently employed as the Chapel Director at Crown College, the Worship Minister at North Center Baptist Church, and is the founder/leader of Oasis (worship ministry) at Northwestern College. Along with leading worship Jessica also writes and preforms her own Christian music. She has recently completed her 3rd album titled, "Dying to Love".
Eileen Deelstra, Administrative Assistant
Eileen has been the Administrative Assistant at North Center since April, 1986. She and her husband, Larry, have been Brooklyn Park residents since 1970 and have four children and ten grandchildren.
Eileen enjoys quilting and reading books by Karen Kingsbury.
