Meet the Team

Pastor Jeffrey Sangren

Pastor Jeffrey Sangren is a devoted husband, father, veteran and servant of Christ. A 2006 graduate of Becker High School, he went on to serve 15 years in the United States Army, including eight years as a Green Beret in the 5th Special Forces Group. His service included multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, along with assignments supporting contingency operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait and Syria.

In 2017, Jeff earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Austin Peay State University. He later graduated in 2022 with a Master of Divinity in Discipleship Ministries from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

After coming to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, Jeff eagerly stepped into ministry faithfully serving in every area from greeting to preaching. Following a clear and undeniable calling to pastoral ministry, he transitioned out of the military and into seminary training. He first joined PLBC as Associate Pastor in January 2021 and was called to serve as Lead Pastor in March 2022.

Pastor Jeff is passionate about reaching the lost through bold evangelism and building up the Church through intentional discipleship. His heart is to see believers equipped, encouraged, and fully engaged in the mission of Christ.

Jeff and his wife, Heather, are raising three wonderful children: Haidyn, Daylor and Everett.

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Pastor Mike Marcum

Pastor Mike is a 1968 graduate of Pequot Lakes High School. He served in the US Army in Vietnam from 1969-1970 where he received the rank of Sergeant E5 (Buck Sergeant). He was decorated with the combat infantryman badge, Air medal, 2 Army commendation medals with “V” device and 3 Bronze Stars, 2 with “V” device for Valor.

He is a 1983 graduate of Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College in Phoenix, Arizona and served 19 years as senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Elk Horn, Iowa.

In 2002, Pastor Mike began serving as the Pequot Lakes Baptist Church Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Outreach. In October 2015, he took over the duties as Senior Pastor of PLBC and faithfully served in that position until June 2022, when he semi-retired to his current position as Pastor Emeritus. Pastor Mike continues to serve our church family on a part-time basis by visiting many of our senior members and helping organize senior activities.

He is a life member of the American Legion, VFW, and Disabled American Veterans, and is the Chaplain at American Legion Post 49 in Pequot Lakes. Pastor Mike enjoys golf, hunting and fishing in his spare time. Mike and Diane have 5 children and 10 grandchildren.

Vladimir Wogen

YOUTH PASTOR

Vladimir grew up near Mankato, MN and graduated from high school in 2012. He then pursued Christian camping ministry for five years – full time at various camps in MN, TN and WA. They started attending PLBC in 2017 and became members that same year. He and his wife Lexi served on the youth group ministry team for a year and a half before he accepted the Youth Director position in May 2019. Vlad served as the PLBC Youth Director until June of 2022, when he transitioned to full-time youth ministry and became our Youth Pastor. Pastor Vlad has a Certificate of Rural Leadership + Ministry from Oak Hills Christian College.

Vladimir and Lexi have four beautiful children, Mabel, Abner, Cleo & Felix. Vladimir enjoys any type of sports, climbing, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spending time with family/friends, and building things.

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Ally Kimmes

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR

Ally Kimmes holds a Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership from North Central University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She currently lives in Pequot Lakes with her husband, Simon, and their son, Eddie.

Ally has been involved in various mission fields, including serving as a counselor at Camp Lebanon and completing its 3-year ministry leadership program. A lifelong member of PLBC, Ally grew up in the church, was baptized by Pastor Mike Marcum in 2012, and, together with Simon, became a member in 2022 after being married at PLBC in August 2020.

In her free time, Ally enjoys repurposing furniture, going on coffee dates, camping with family, working with pottery, and indulging in Tootsie Rolls. She began serving as PLBC’s Children’s Ministry Director in August 2022.

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Amy Drown

OFFICE SECRETARY

Amy Drown grew up in the Brainerd Lakes Area and moved back to this beautiful area after graduating from the U of MN. Amy married Bryan in 2003 and they have 2 children – Zach & Haley. Amy & Bryan enjoy watching their kids participate in a variety of sports and other activities as well as being outdoors on their wooded property, riding their side by side in the trails, and gathering wood for winter burning. Amy also enjoys family & church family game nights and is getting back into golf. She has been a member of the church since 1995 and has served on a variety of committees before accepting her position as church office secretary in December 2014.

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Anna Loukota

OFFICE BOOKKEEPER

Anna Loukota grew up in Northern Illinois. She married Len in 1974, moved their family to MN in 1986. After raising 2 sons, Randy & Jake, Anna graduated from CLC in 2002 with an AAS in Accounting. Anna retired from the Billing/Bookkeeping Offices of a Pharmacy chain in 2017. Anna became a member of PLBC in 1987 and has served in the church in a variety of ways including AWANA clubs, Youth group and many committees over the years. She also filled in the PLBC Office as an office assistant substitute now and then until she accepted the position of a Part-time Office Bookkeeper in the Fall of 2019. Anna’s hobbies are reading, travelling, and enjoying their 8 grandchildren.