Our Staff

  • Drew Johnson

    LEAD PASTOR

    Drew is the lead pastor at Mercy Hill. He is the primary teacher on Sunday mornings and he leads the conversations among staff and volunteers that shape the direction of our community. Drew majored in Art History and Religious Studies at the University of Minnesota, graduated from Bethel Seminary with a Masters of Divinity Degree, and recently completed a Doctor of Ministry in Contextual Theology at Northern Seminary. He is married to Lauren. They live in Wayzata with their kids Eleanor and Eli. His favorite thing about Mercy Hill is that it is a community where he can be himself, become more like Jesus and live with people instead of just around them.

  • Megan Thorp

    PASTOR & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY LIFE

    Megan is a pastor and director of community life at Mercy Hill - which means she has her hand in a little bit of everything. Her family includes her husband Chad and kids, Caleb, Reed, and Quinn. She has her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and loves when she is able to use it by connecting with people in the community and learning their story. One of Megan's favorite things about Mercy Hill is the openness and vulnerability of the people who attend. There is no faking we have it all together here - we realize our need for a Savior and are not afraid to show it.

  • Meg Decker

    WORSHIP PASTOR & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

    Meg has been a part of the Mercy Hill community since 2013. She is passionate about creating an environment where people can experience the reality of God's presence with them and His great love for them. In the context of discipleship, Meg's strength is authenticity and is gifted in connecting with people in their joy and their pain. She looks forward to more opportunities to walk alongside her community and to partner with God in His plans for Mercy Hill!

    Meg's passion for music extends outside of the church as well, writing and performing with her friends around town. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband Matt and their son, Kinn (& Jones, the cat).

  • Justie Vavra

    PASTOR OF PRAYER & OUTREACH & FAMILY MINISTRY DIRECTOR

    Justie started working at Mercy Hill in the spring of 2019. She leads our team that prays for people during our Sunday gatherings and throughout the week and oversees a number of different outreach teams that serve in the local community. She lives in New Hope with her husband Chris and her children Eden, Ezra, and Orlo. Her family has been a part of Mercy Hill Church since 2014 and one of her favorite things about this community is the church family - the people who make up this community truly are family and what a gift it is to find unity and love and grace under the reign of King Jesus.

  • Chantel Zielke

    ELEMENTARY MINISTRY DIRECTOR

    Chantel came on staff in June of 2022 as our Elementary Director. She lives in Hopkins with her four kids and husband Brad. Before joining the team at MH, she served as a group leader and currently a substitute teacher at Bible Study Fellowship. Her favorite aspect of Mercy Hill is the authentic community of people who willingly and joyfully serve God. There are so many families here that have a desire to be in each other's lives and strive to have their kids know and follow Jesus.

  • John Walt

    PASTOR & EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY DIRECTOR

    John leads Children and Family ministry at Mercy Hill. He and his wife Katie live in Golden Valley with their kids, Zamira, Isaiah and Dorian, and their two cats. John has been a part of leading Children's ministry in our church network for a number of years and had the pleasure of helping start children's ministry at Mercy Hill. He loves that children are important and highly valued at Mercy Hill and that the church is a spiritual family to all who come. Just as parents love their children no matter what, John is deeply thankful for God's love for him, and the rest of the church, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.

  • Steven Sayles

    STUDENT MINISTRY PASTOR

    Steven is the student ministries director here at Mercy Hill. He grew up in a little town 30 minutes west of Milwaukee, WI. Steven came to Minnesota to study Pastoral Ministry at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul, where he also received his Master of Divinity. A few of his passions include reading, producing instrumental music, watching Liverpool FC and playing games with his wife, Sarah.