Our Staff

Pastor Jeff Steeber

My experience is unique when compared to most pastors. While other pastors have come to the Lutheran church from other denominational backgrounds, I have come to the faith as a convert. 

While I was in college I began to study world religions, as I tried to discern my place in the world. I would read the stories about Jesus and wonder why such an amazing man had such horrible followers. However, God continued to work in my life and after a year of searching and discernment, I found myself being led to the Christian faith.  As I studied theology and attended different churches (Yes, I was a “Church Shopper”) I felt most at home within the Lutheran church.

I was baptized January 31^st, 2001, I graduated college in May of 2001, was married on June 30^th of 2001 and began seminary immediately following my honeymoon.

My main passions for ministry are teaching, leading worship and working with children and youth. I have always enjoyed working with children. Many times our youth take a backseat to the “adult issues” of the church. While I believe that there are very real adult issues to address within every congregation, as a father of two children under the age of ten, and as a Church, we need to realize that it is our calling to raise our children in the Christian faith. This cannot be done by plopping them in a seat for worship or Sunday school, but then failing to be an example of the faith during the rest of the week. I understand that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, but we are also held to a standard of living that illustrates our Christian faith. By daily dying and rising with our baptism, we can be who God has called us to be

As a relatively recent convert, I have an intense desire to understand and express our faith. I feel called to bring excitement and a strong Lutheran identity to an existing congregation that understands that ministry exists within and outside of the church building.

Randi Smarsh, Organist 

Randi first began playing organ for church services as a sophomore in high school once a month at the country church in which she grew up.  During her career of 46 years, she has played for St. John's Lutheran in rural Crestline, Ohio; Calvary United Church of Christ in Crestline, Ohio, and has been part of the music ministry at Christ Evangelical Lutheran since 1980.  Randi has also provided music for many services with Busch Funeral Homes.Accompanying the choirs and soloists has been one of her favorite roles as CELC organist.

Randi is married with two adult children, Ryan and Stephanie, and resides in Avon Lake with her husband, Ron.

Bill Higgins, Custodian

Bill is a life-long member of Christ Lutheran, as well as a life-long resident of Avon Lake. He has been employed as the custodian for 23 years. His goal is to provide a clean and welcoming environment for vistors, members, Good Kids and the pre-school. 

Bill is a very proud uncle of 13 nieces and nephews as well as 13 great nieces and nephews.

Beth began attending Christ Lutheran in 1985, at age 10.  She was confirmed at Christ Lutheran and has been involved in the music ministry for as long as she can remember.

Beth was a foster mom to a 3 month old; she enjoys working in the nursery, watching the kids grow from toddlers to confirmation students and beyond.

Beth resides in Elyria with her boyfriend and his 3 boys, ages 13, 14 and 17.