Pastor David Petersen was born in Chicago and grew up in Arlington Heights and Des Plaines. His father was the first called pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. His mother was a schoolteacher. He has one sister. Pastor Petersen and his family were active members of Our Saviour’s.
David graduated from Carthage College with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Education. He spent his junior year in Heidelberg, Germany where he met future wife Susan. Susan has been a special education teacher in Northbrook and currently in Long Grove. Susan and David have been married for 41 years. They have two grown sons, a grandson, granddaughter, and a grand dog.
David spent thirty years in the specialized construction field of concrete cutting: first as a pro-cutter, then as a senior project manager in charge of a department, working in everything from nuclear plants, to hospitals, to the steel mills of Indiana, and everything in between.
Church life as lay leader has included over 25 years active as a leader in the PADS homeless shelter program; Confirmation small group leader; two call committees; capital campaign for building and organ; social ministry committee; mission trip to Mexico; vision formation committee; small group adult Bible study.
David enrolled in the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, in Hyde Park, and graduated with a Master of Divinity. His field education included a year of Ministry in Context (mini internship) at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Prospect Heights; Clinical Pastoral Education at Condell Hospital, assigned as chaplain in the Trauma 1 ER; and a full intern year at Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn. Ordained in 2019, his first call was at Zion Lutheran in Belvidere. He was called to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Prospect Heights, in 2024.
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Susan K. Baushke, Director of Music Ensembles, holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in Vocal Performance, Music Composition and Music Theory. Her instruments include voice, piano, flute, recorder and some guitar. Susan has led the Contemporary Praise Band since 2005, and Bell Choir and Adult Vocal Choirs since 2011. To round out the church’s music ministry, she also works with featured soloists and small ensembles. Susan also performs as a classical vocalists and opera performer, and runs a non-profit professional opera company.
Dr. Gloria Sun Oh, Director of Music = Traditional Services, has served as organist at Good Shepherd since 2005 and is also Professor at the American Conservatory of Music and at Chanyang Conservatory of Music.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Teresa Swinson, Office Administrator, has been with Good Shepherd since October of 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree from National Louis University in Applied Behavioral Science. Teresa brings many years of office experience and leadership skills to this congregation. She is looking forward to serving this congregation for years to come.