Seven Questions with a Servant: Phil Gaarenstroom

1. What's your name?

Phil Gaarenstroom

2. Will you please share a little about yourself?

Grew up in Fairmont, Minnesota; graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota and went to graduate school at Purdue University (Ph. D. in Chemistry). Moved to Charleston in 1977 to work for Union Carbide. Nancy and I met at Purdue and we married in 1978. I retired from Dow Chemical in 2013. Nancy works part time from home doing bookkeeping. Our daughter, Amanda, is a paramedic in Morgantown. Our son, Eric, is a construction inspector in Columbia, Maryland. Onyx, our black cat, keeps us entertained at home.

3. How long have you been attending/serving at Redeemer?

I started attending Redeemer in 1977. I have served as a board member or church officer most years. I served as President 1986-87 and 2001 to present.

4. In what ways do you or have you serve(d) at Redeemer and which is/was your favorite way?

Church Council and Voters Assembly
First Friday Fellowship
Men’s Wednesday Bible Study
Church’s representative to Cub Scout Pack and Scouts BSA Troop
Feed My Sheep food delivery
Handbell Choir
Technical Arts team
No favorite, I like them all.

5. How has serving at Redeemer impacted you?

Nancy and I have no relatives living nearby, but people in Redeemer seem like an extended family to us.

6. What’s something about you not many folks know?

My twin brother, Steve, and I each married a Nancy, so there are two Nancy Gaarenstrooms. This has caused confusion among some Facebook users in Michigan and West Virginia.

7. What do you like most about Redeemer?

The church is very scripturally-based in theology, but willing to engage with the world. And we have fun.How well the members get along with one another.