Leslie Kauer

I grew up in Stratford, WI a small suburb of Marshfield, WI. It was the typical small town with about 1000 people. No mobs, no gangs, no mall, but we proudly boasted a stop light. I grew up in the Catholic Church, but it wasn’t until I was 16 years old and a close friend and her family (the Heegs!) brought me to Believer’s Church. It was there I discovered that church could be passionate, exciting and very personal. Church became a safe place for me to find who I was and discover this God that I had only known at a distance.

Church was also where I met my husband and best friend, Dan Kauer. We got married in 2003 and that next summer transported our lives to Missoula, Montana so I could make one of my dreams come true and attend the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. I loved every minute of it and left some of my heart in Montana.

While Dan and I were in Montana, we knew we wanted to be a part of a church plant. We looked at several options, but felt so strongly that God was calling us to be a part of Substance. I like to think of myself as an honorary member of Substance’s original launch team since I was part of the church Pastor Peter formerly ministered at, Believer’s Church, and loved his vision for reaching the Twin Cities. During those first few years, we did whatever needed to be done: kids ministry, info center, ushering. Though we are thrilled an honored to be at Substance, I always sort of expected us to move on, but we’ve never felt God close the doors on the Twin Cities.

I am passionate about being active in the great outdoors. You’ll typically find my husband and I riding bicycles of many forms, kayaking, fishing, or really anything that gets us breathing fresh air. I am all about balance too, so slowing down to watch a movie, bake, read or connect with my close friends over coffee are among my top favorite things to do.

Dan and I welcomed our first baby (it's a girl!) in July 2011.

 

leslie@substancechurch.com