Meet Our Team
We are blessed to have several people on staff who God has called to leadership in our church.
We ask that you please pray for our staff that God would give them humility, wisdom and compassion and also for protection for each of their marriages and families. Thank you!
We ask that you please pray for our staff that God would give them humility, wisdom and compassion and also for protection for each of their marriages and families. Thank you!
Senior Pastor:
EVAN NEHRING
Evan grew up in Canada in the home of a devoted pastor's family. He went on to earn degrees in pastoral ministry and music composition. Evan served in youth, music, and lead pastor positions before being called to serve as lead pastor at the Northwoods Vineyard Church in 2026. His heart is to live in God's presence, be transformed by God's Word, and be Jesus to his world. Evan and Colleen thank God for the blessing of their marriage, children, and grandchildren.
Worship Team Overseer:
JASON NEHRING
Jason was born into a family full of love for Jesus. He committed his life to Christ at a youth event when he was 10 years old. Jason went to high school in Tomahawk, class of 2021. He was called into ministry his senior year when God spoke to him that his ministry in Tomahawk, to teens, was not done yet. After leading the youth for several years, it was clear to him, and others, that God was developing a love for leading people into His presence through Worship. Jason moved into the Worship Overseer position in 2023. He enjoys playing music, shooting hoops, and being with friends and family. He also enjoys his quiet devotional times worshiping or diving into God's word.
Worship Team Overseer:
ELLEN HILGENDORF
Church music has been a constant part of Ellen’s life from age 6 to the present. She played piano and organ, sang and accompanied church choirs, played keyboards and sang in a variety of worship teams, wrote and arranged music for instrumentalists and vocal groups, and was the worship team director for a large multi-campus church in the Chicago area. This included selecting and arranging music for teams on a weekly basis and directing the weekly rehearsals as well as giving piano lessons. Her heart’s desire is to let the Holy Spirit lead her.
Ellen’s greatest blessing is spending quality time with her 5 married children and 8 grandchildren which leads to Tomahawk and Wausau along with travels to Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver.
Ellen’s greatest blessing is spending quality time with her 5 married children and 8 grandchildren which leads to Tomahawk and Wausau along with travels to Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver.
Administrative Assistant:
COLLEEN NEHRING
Colleen has been married to her husband Evan for 26 years. They have three children, Megan, Wade, Jason, and one son-in-law, Tim Nelson. Colleen’s greatest joy is being a grandma to her beautiful grandchildren, Lily, Asa, and Gianna. And we don’t want to forget her three grand-dogs Avery, Cooper, and Willow.
Colleen asked Jesus into her heart in 3rd grade and grew up in the Assembly of God church. It was Vineyard music that drew Colleen and Evan to Northwoods Vineyard in 1997. They felt they had found their home and have been with Northwoods Vineyard since, with a few adventures in between.
Colleen is blessed to have her children and grandchildren close by and enjoys spending her free time with them, just doing life together (especially her grandchildren).
Colleen asked Jesus into her heart in 3rd grade and grew up in the Assembly of God church. It was Vineyard music that drew Colleen and Evan to Northwoods Vineyard in 1997. They felt they had found their home and have been with Northwoods Vineyard since, with a few adventures in between.
Colleen is blessed to have her children and grandchildren close by and enjoys spending her free time with them, just doing life together (especially her grandchildren).
Youth Overseers:
MAT & SHANI MESSERSCHMIDT
Mat & Shani Messerschmidt are our Youth Overseers. They transitioned to leading youth after leading our Kingdom Kids program for several years. Mat and Shani grew up in Tomahawk and have a heart for Jesus and raising up youth to know and follow Him! Shani has a background in teaching special needs children/youth. Mat loves building and carpentry and currently has his own business. Mat & Shani have a son named Aries who is in 6th grade.