Meet Our Folks
Pr. Jesse Christopherson
Jesse was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Michigan, and has been back and forth across the U.S. since then. He went to college at Michigan Technological University in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) where he got his degree in Chemical Engineering, worked in southern Michigan for a year, and then made the decision to go to seminary. Jesse did his seminary work in St. Paul, Minnesota at Luther Seminary, his Clinical Pastoral Education in Denver, Colorado, and his internship in La Habra, California.
Jesse’s first church was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he split his time between being a Pastor for an emerging mission community, and working/volunteering for the non-profit music venue that was housed in the same building. Now at MLC, he is excited to be part of such a growing and Spirit-filled community, and figuring out new ways of making a difference in the Milwaukie community, serving and being Gospel to all of God’s people. Also, being an Oregonian has helped Jesse to fulfill his long-time dream of living near his brother in the Pacific Northwest.
In his spare time, Jesse likes to ski, hike, rock-climb, bike, run, read, listen to vinyl, play music, eat and cook good food, and try to stay out of mischief.
John Baker
Choir Director
John Baker, Choral Consultant, graduated from Oregon College of Education in the fall of 1979. On February 11, 1980 he stepped into the position as choir director at Rex Putnam High School located in Milwaukie, Oregon. This position he held for 32 years. Mr. Baker received his Master of Music in Education from Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon University ). He is a frequent clinician, adjudicator and choir retreat specialist around the Pacific Northwest. In the fall of 2008 he was festival clinician at the Bangkok International Choir Festival. Music literacy is a trademark of Mr. Baker’s teaching. He has a Sightreading/Theory program which is used at many high school and middle schools throughout the Northwest. Developing complete musicians is his passion.
During his tenure at Rex Putnam, the choral program consisted of six groups: A Cappella Choir, Choralaires, Vocal Point, Kingsmen Chorus, Cantabile and Beginning Guitar. The Rex Putnam A Cappella Choir and Choralaires have performed at state and regional ACDA and MENC Conventions. In the spring of 2010, the A Cappella Choir performed at the ACDA NW Regional Convention held in Seattle, WA. The following year, the A Cappella Choir was honored to perform at the 2011 ACDA National Convention in Chicago, Ill. Since retirement, Mr. Baker has served as clinician for several honor choirs, workshops, and retreats in Canada, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. He continues to encourage sight reading and musicianship in his presentations.
Kit Taylor
Lead Accompanist & Director Of Music
Kit Taylor is a 12-time award-winning songwriter, pianist & producer based in Portland, OR, USA. Kit writes in a variety of genres, but his music is most often compared to the songs of Disney; and composers, songwriters and producers like Vangelis, Trent Reznor, David Foster, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Max Martin, and Dr. Luke.
Recently Kit collaborated with lead singer Mark Barry of the group BBMAK for a series of 16 duets. The band had a worldwide smash hit called “Back Here” in 2000 and has sold over 3 million records.
Kit has studied under the likes of Nashville songwriter Craig Carothers (Trisha Yearwood), platinum-certified songwriter Marv Ross (Quarterflash), engineer and producer Bob Stark (Esperanza Spalding, Everclear), and former VP of Warner-Chappell Publishing Judy Stakee (Sheryl Crow, Katy Perry, Jewel).
Kit has won or been nominated for 12 major independent songwriting awards; including two John Lennon Songwriting Contest nominations, and wins in the Independent Music Awards, the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, the USA Songwriting Competition, and in 2018-19 was the first multiple category winner in the history of the Great American Song Contest. He won the instrumental category for his song “Winter in the Village”, composed with Bob Stark, and in the pop category for his song “Persephone”, featured on the album “Love + Pain”.
More People & More Roles to Fill
It takes a village to keep our doors open, and those placed into that ministry of service to our community are a treasure.
These villagers include:
• Bell choir director
• Bookeeping accountant and treasurer
• Social media & IT coordinator
• The Church Council, as mandated by our organizing constitution (Chapter 12, Section 4)
• Deacons
• Milwaukie Lutheran Preschool, an independent community organization
• And the myriad volunteers for service assistance, groups, and facilities and grounds support
We are deeply grateful for all your dedication that goes on steadfastly and so often without realization.