Faith Lutheran Church Council 2019


  • president - scott burch

    Ash Wednesday 2013, my wife, son and I attended our first service at Faith Lutheran.  We have been here ever since. I am a "Lutheran by marriage", my favorite aspects of Faith Lutheran are the family friendly and laid back atmosphere. I feel that we are a very open and welcoming congregation.  We are always looking for ways to serve our church, community, and the Lord.  I have been a Physical Therapist in the Hampton Roads area for the past 28 years.


  • vice president- allison vanpeerren

    I am the current V.P. of Faith's Council and this is the 2nd year of my 3-year term serving on Council.  I am a Lutheran "transport", having been raised as Presbyterian.  After meeting my husband, Todd, and attending Faith with him, I decided this was my home and became a member.  I am a Suffolk native, but have made Chesapeake, VA my home now, where we are raising our 12-year old daughter.  


  • secretary - jeremy fehrman


  • finance secretary -Meggin Holcomb


  • treasurer - missy rhoads


  • David ball


  • r.j. brooks

    Council member R.J. Brooks came to us from First Lutheran Church in Norfolk with his wife Rebekah in 2018. The US Navy brought him and his wife to the area and they plan to live their remaining days here Virginia. He enjoys hunting deer, brewing beer, and serving the Lord.


  • deb gallagher

    I've been a member of Faith for about twelve years and have served on Council and on the Evangelism Committee. I'm a retired high school media specialist and I have lived in Portsmouth for over thirty years.  


  • charlie griffen


  • kate hoffstaetter

    I have been a member of Faith Lutheran Church for about 10 years and have been involved with Sunday School and VBS for most of that time.  This is my first year on council and I am excited to be a part of this team to help grow and support our church.  My husband, Gary, and I have been married for 20 years and have 2 children--Tim who is 16 and Sarah who is 13.

  • tim hoffstaetter - youth rep

     I am on church council, call committee, the youth directors assistant, and I am on the kairos planning team for the coming kairos.  I am very active in the church and I love coming to church.


  • denise mcalpine


  • james speitel

    James and his family joined the church originally in 2011 when they arrived in the Suffolk area while he was serving with the Navy. After a brief departure to Okinawa, Japan for three years they have returned to the church in 2017. James humbly accepted his call to the council in late 2018


  • al whitener

    Retired from NNSY now managing the family farm business. Enjoy the outdoors, the beach and spending time with my family.