Meet The Team
Kevin & Tawn Bueltmann
Kevin - Executive Director
Tawn - Executive Coordinator
Kevin & Tawn are married with 4 grown children and a son-in-law. ​They have dedicated their lives to Christian ministry, particularly in church and camp settings. Kevin has served as a pastor, Director of Christian Education (DCE), and camp director in various LCMS congregations and camps across Montana, Nebraska, and Illinois. Besides Kevin's master's degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, he also has a master's degree in Family Ministry from Concordia-Nebraska. Tawn has served as a Lutheran school teacher, Director of Music, organist/keyboardist, and in administrative roles at churches and camps. Their combined experiences in ministry leadership, education, and hospitality uniquely equip them for their current roles at Shepherd's Canyon Retreat. ​
480-588-8837
Katie Walker, MA, LPC, NCC
Counseling Director
​Katie Walker serves as the Counseling Care Director and a therapist at Shepherd's Canyon Retreat. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and a National Certified Counselor since 1997. Katie earned her Master's Degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, in 1994. In 2011, Katie established her private practice, Waypoint Counseling Services, where she focuses on assisting adults dealing with ADHD, ministry burnout, and emotionally destructive relationships. She has been an integral part of Shepherd's Canyon Retreat since 2016. ​
636-224-8178
Trish Kelm, LTC
Ministry Support Coordinator
Trish Kelm brings a wealth of experience in administration, hospitality, and ministry support roles that align well with the mission of Shepherd's Canyon Retreat. With a background in early childhood education and leadership in team environments, she demonstrates a heart for service and nurturing others. Her roles at camps and retreat centers—including Lutheran Valley Retreat and Sanborn Western Camps—have equipped her with hands-on experience in office administration, food service, and guest engagement, all of which translate naturally to supporting the operations and relational needs of Shepherd’s Canyon. Additionally, her active volunteerism in faith-based communities, such as participating in women's retreat committees and pastoral call teams, reflects her deep commitment to Christian fellowship and care.
719-235-0221
Paul & Kristi Golke
Paul - Arizona Site Coordinator
Kristi (LTC, DCE) - Hospitality Coordinator
Paul and Kristi Golke bring decades of deeply rooted Christian ministry and camp leadership experience that align naturally with the mission of Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat. Paul has served as Executive Director at multiple Christian camps—most notably Camp IO-DIS-E-CA in Iowa and Camp Concordia in Michigan—where he oversaw operations, programming, and development, significantly expanding outreach, fundraising efforts, and facility improvements. His expertise in management, stewardship, and donor relations is complemented by Kristi’s extensive background in education, youth ministry, and spiritual care, including her work as a Director of Christian Education. Together, their shared calling to serve, support, and enrich the ministry of Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat.
360-852-7943
â€360-355-0281‬
Dave & Barb Anderson
Co-Founders
Dave - Endowment Coordinator
Dave and Barb Anderson have devoted their lives to ministry through music, counseling, and personal testimony. In 1975, they founded Fellowship Ministries, conducting over 5,600 worship concerts and services across the U.S. and internationally, including in Russia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia. Their musical journey included being featured singers at a Billy Graham Crusade. In August 1993, while returning from a mission in Russia's Far East, their plane crashed into the Bering Sea. They survived nearly an hour in 36-degree waters before a dramatic rescue, an event widely covered in publications like Guideposts and The Lutheran. This life-altering experience led them to establish Shepherd's Canyon Retreat in 2007, a specialized counseling center in Arizona dedicated to supporting burned-out and emotionally wounded church workers and their spouses. Since its inception, the retreat has served hundreds globally, offering a sanctuary for healing and restoration.
602-538-4066
Bill & Pamela Hanlin
SOWERS on Assignment
Bill & Pamela Hanlin are amazing volunteers who came to us through the SOWERs program (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready). They have been working with us most of the time since October 2022 and even live on site in their own fifth-wheel trailer. The Hanlins have served in the past as pastor and pastor's wife, therapist, caterer, and more. We're so thankful God sent them our way!
Maintenance Workers
Alex
Raine
Jerry
These are our hard-working dedicated maintenance workers. Raine (middle) has been serving our ministry for over 10 years and is our head of maintenance.
