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Staff Information

  • Rev. Dan Johnson, Senior Pastor

    Dan JohnsonDan came to Good Samaritan Church in June 1999 and has been in pastoral ministry in Illinois and Minnesota since 1981. He grew up in California, New York, Wisconsin and Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University in 1979.  Dan holds a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (1984) where he is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Congregational Development jointly with Northwestern University. 


    Dan is married with three grown children and three grandchildren.  Hobbies include camping, canoeing, fishing and music.  (You’ll often see him playing bass with Good Samaritan’s Homeward Bound Band!)  Contact: Dan@good.org

  • Rev. Becky Sechrist, Associate Pastor

    Becky SechristBecky has been the Associate Pastor at Good Samaritan since July of 2005.  She grew up in Minnesota, attended college and graduate school in Massachusetts, and has been serving United Methodist congregations in Minnesota since 1992.

    She loves the outdoors, canoeing, camping, reading, and a good fire.  When not at Good Samaritan, Becky plays clarinet with the Seward Concert Band and plays agility (a dog sport) with her dog, Cappuccino.  Contact: Becky@good.org.

  • Rev. Jean Elliott, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries

    Jean ElliottJean grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College in Sociology/Anthropology and Religion in 1999 and a Masters in Christian Education/Youth Faith Formation from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2007.  Jean is currently a provisional deacon in the Minnesota Annual Conference and has been serving the community of Good Samaritan UMC since June of 2007.  

    Over the years, Jean has been involved with the ministries of Star Lake Wilderness Camp, Stillwater United Methodist Church, Hamline University and Northwestern University (Chicago), Appalachia Service Project, and several friendship-mission trips to Central America.

    Jean enjoys spending time outdoors, especially camping, kayaking, bonfires, winter skiing and Ultimate Frisbee. Contact: Jean@good.org.

  • Director of Children's Ministries

    We are delighted to welcome Heather Miller as our Director of Children’s Ministries. Heather was raised by two United Methodist pastors and comes to us full of enthusiasm and excitement about working with children and their families in our environment.

    Heather grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Elementary Education and Sociology/Anthropology in 1994 and a Masters in Experiential Education from Mankato State University in 2003. She served in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, Africa from 1995–1998 and then worked as an elementary teacher in New Mexico and Minnesota.

  • Gavin Berg, Music Coordinator & Children's Choirs Director

    Gavin BergGavin came to Good Samaritan in June of 2009. A native of Minnesota, he attended the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) and now resides here in Edina with his husband, KC. Gavin's hobbies include playing piano, attending Gopher football and basketball games, traveling and playing with his two black labs, Raven and Echo. Contact: Gavin@good.org.