Meet Our Staff
The Rev. Leslie Price
Pastor Leslie Price believes in welcoming all God’s children. Her strong personal faith in God’s grace and Christ’s power of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation guides her actions and interactions in ministry and life.
She was called to serve Christ Lutheran in 2010, and the congregation has flourished under her leadership. Her commitment to the CLC mission is evident in the robust worship, music, dynamic education ministry, service to the community, and continuation of the Church’s pledge to give 20% of offerings to benevolence.
Prior to her ministry at Christ Lutheran, Pastor Leslie held several youth ministry positions and an associate pastoral role. Her academic credentials include a Political Science degree, Valparaiso University, IN; Master of Youth Ministry, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN; Master of Divinity, Luther Seminary; Clinical Pastoral Education certification; and internship in a Mexico City squatter community.
Throughout her studies, she says, “I constantly moved toward developing a faith that wasn’t afraid of confronting doubts, challenges, and questions.” She travels this journey still and invites her congregation to join her.
A native of Kansas, Pastor Leslie honors her Midwestern roots through integrity and hard work. She is fluent in Spanish, an avid reader, enjoys creative writing, and is an impassioned advocate for peace and justice. Her elegant soprano singing voice and intelligent, compassionate preaching elevate our worship experience. Leslie also loves getting outdoors, whether running, hiking or even the occasional bike ride with her cyclist husband, Jayme Brown. Leslie and Jayme have two children, Hank and Diana.
The Rev. Howard D. Stendahl
The Rev. Howard D. Stendahl came to Christ Lutheran Church in May of 2018 to assist Pastor Leslie Price with preaching and pastoral care. A native of Minnesota, Pastor Stendahl, or “H” as members of the congregation call him, is a graduate of Hamline University, St Paul, MN (B.A.), Luther Theological Seminary, St Paul, MN (M.Div.), The Graduate Theological Foundation, South Bend, IN (D.Min.) and holds a Doctor of Divinity degree (D.D.) from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS), Columbia, SC.
Pastor Stendahl studied Clinical Pastoral Education, served congregations in Texas and Wisconsin, and retired from active duty as Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Air Force in 2015, in the grade of Major General. He also completed graduate degree programs at Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL, and the Capstone General Officer course at the National Defense University, Washington, DC. Following retirement from the Air Force Chaplain Corps, he served as an adjunct professor at LTSS in preaching and pastoral care.
With over 40 years of experience in parish and specialized ministry settings, Pastor Stendahl is delighted to return to parish ministry at Christ Lutheran Church and make his permanent home in San Antonio. Howard and his wife Patricia have three sons and four grandchildren. Pastor Stendahl is devoted to direct ministries in support of respect for human dignity worldwide. It is his belief that the Christian church is the gathering of God’s people, for others. It is truly “God’s work – our hands.”
Deacon Lisa Diana
Deacon Lisa Diana grew up in San Antonio and has always had a heart for helping others, especially those who are vulnerable. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Science in Family Studies and has previously worked in the areas of Social Science and Human Services. She and her family moved to San Antonio after her husband, Joe, retired from the Air Force in 2010 and joined Christ Lutheran Church.
While volunteering in the church and community with at-risk families and asylum seekers, she discerned a call to the ministry of Deacon. After completing a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Luther Seminary in 2021, she was ordained to Word and Service in June 2022. During her first call in immigration ministries, her understanding of how God works in the world continued to grow, as well as her belief that in the process of serving we ourselves are being served and transformed.
In her call at CLC, Lisa hopes to be an instrument of God’s love by encouraging and equipping others to love their neighbors, especially those most vulnerable, through service and advocacy.
Jesus Garcia
AV Technician
Sam Tenorio
Custodian
Clara Tenorio
Nursery Attendant
Sharon Wiedemann
Sharon started playing piano when she was five years old and was playing for her Sunday School by the time she was 10. Throughout high school she studied piano at Trinity University under Andrew Mihalso, but drifted into other career interests while in college. She has been playing for the CLC Children’s Choir since it was formed.
Carolyn Duflmeier
Carolyn was born in Macomb Illinois and is a graduate from Western Illinois University with a BS in Education. Soon after graduating she was offered a teaching job at South San Antonio ISD. She later went to Northeast ISD and taught at Camelot Elementary and Encino Park Elementary. During this time, she earned a Masters degree from UTSA. After 34 years of teaching, she retired but was soon working at Soma and then James Avery. She retired again but it wasn’t long until she started working part time in the office of a commercial construction company. Recently the workaholic added the job of Event Coordinator to her schedule with Chris Lutheran. Carolyn serves on the Welcome Team and the Eucharistic Ministers. She is a member of the Book Club and has served as Member at Large on the Church Council. Carolyn loves working at the church with the wonderful, fun staff and such a friendly congregation. In her free time, she loves gardening, reading, traveling, and getting together with friends.
Lori Harris
Lori joined CLC in 1995, shortly after she married Michael in 1994. She served in municipal government for over 23 years and during that time she earned a bachelor’s degree of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University and her Masters in Management and Leadership from Sam Houston State University. Lori has served CLC in various capacities including communion helper, assisting minister, usher, confirmation teacher, Vice President, and President for the church council, Ministry Advice and Support Team, and the Compensation team. She enjoys international travel, cooking classes, caving, hiking, biking kayaking, scuba diving, and taking photos of CLC events and sharing them with the congregation.
Ainslee Ford
Ainslee moved to San Antonio when she was 12 from Lake Jackson, a small town south of Houston and graduated from MacArthur High School here in San Antonio. She played softball for two years at Temple College and she completed her undergraduate degree at UTSA with a major in biology. Ainslee is the mom of two wonderful boys/young men, Brycen (8) and Zayne (17) who both graduated from CLDS many years ago. Zayne plays baseball and Brycen enjoys everything sports-related. Most of Ainslee’s free time is spent taking the boys to their different extracurricular activities. For herself, Ainslee enjoys hiking, riding bikes, watching baseball, and spending her spare time with her family.
Dr. Daniel Long
Dan has been directing music ministries since the age of 13. Holding degrees from Drake University (Des Moines), the University of Texas at Austin, Musik Akademie Johann Sebastian Bach (Stuttgart, Germany), and the University of South Africa, Dr. Long has served prominent churches in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa, Stuttgart, Germany, Austin, New Braunfels, and San Antonio, Texas. Besides his duties at CLCAH, he is also Professor of Music at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas.
Carrie Jowers
Carrie Jowers was born and raised here in San Antonio. She and her husband Jeff, have been happily married for over 20 years and have two girls, Sophia a high school senior and Parker who is a freshman. Having worked in Human Resources for 10 years, and having Parker, she decided to step down and began working part time in a children’s ministry position at FPC; and she has now been in children and youth ministry for over 16 years. Carrie feels called to serve children and youth and loves watching them grow in their faith. In her free time she has a side business organizing and decorating homes. On weekends she loves being with her family and exploring all the fun things San Antonio has to offer.
Dana Ferraro
Dana graduated from Concordia University with a BA in Child Development and her Master’s in Education and has taught young children all her adult life. She loves her job and the Christ Lutheran Day School, feels blessed to have worked there for the last 23 years, and receives tremendous satisfaction seeing what the fabulous teachers and children do every day. When she isn’t working/playing at the Day School, she is at home with her three amazing boys, John, Joe, and Greg, in the 5th and 3rd grades. The family loves to travel, watch movies, and build with Legos; the beach is their happy place.
Jeff Hammack
Jeff grew up in Virginia and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1991. Since then, he has worked in Banking, having managed call centers and working in audit and risk management. Jeff has lived in Richmond, VA, Raleigh, NC, and Atlanta, GA, and in 2019 USAA asked him to relocate to San Antonio. Jeff has been a church organist since he was in high school and has served in Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations. Jeff is now serving at Christ Lutheran Church and it’s been an amazing experience, working with the pastors, the choir, and with the congregation. He has terrific friends at Christ Lutheran and he is so appreciative for them. Jeff’s taste in music is diverse ranging from French and German classics to vintage and modern hymn arrangements. In his free time, he loves movies and tv series, vintage cars and all the hits from the 80’s. Jeff has had two amazing Yorkshire terriers as their smart and mischievous personalities seem to agree with him. He loves to cook Cajun food, dine out with friends, and host pool parties. Say hi anytime and if you have a favorite dish , let him know, it may provide inspiration!
