FLC Leadership
PASTORS
Pastor Eric Olaf Olsen
Pastor (941) 924-4664 / pastor@faithlutheransrq.com
Emails are checked periodically. If you need an immediate response, please call the church office.
A New York City native, Pastor Eric received a B.A. in Anthropology from State University of New York at Albany and Kansai Gaidai University. He worked as a staffer for a member of Japan’s Parliament before returning to New York to launch and manage several successful transportation-related companies. He entered the seminary at age 30, studying at The General Theological Seminary and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
Pastor Eric served congregations in New York City, Long Island, and Buffalo, and currently serves as the Senior Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. He also completed an internship at the Lutheran World Federation office at the United Nations. Pastor Eric served as a chaplain for fire departments in New York City, Long Island, and Buffalo, and now serves the Sarasota County Fire Department.
Pastor Eric has served on the boards of directors for numerous nonprofits. He is a past chair and member of several interfaith clergy councils, faith-based community organizations, faith-based outdoor ministry camps, faith-based senior living communities, as well as the Lutheran Schools Association of New York.
A lifelong learner, Pastor Eric was a fellow in the Clergy Leadership Program at The Chautauqua Institution (2015–2017). He completed doctoral studies at Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education and was unable to complete his dissertation before the abrupt dissolution of the school. Pastor Eric also serves as a lead instructor in the School of Lay Ministry of the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
Eric is married to Lisa, his life partner of 31 years, and together they have two young adult sons, Luke, 22, and Lars, 18, as well as an energetic 1-year-old golden retriever named Finn. Eric enjoys boating and fishing with family and friends, attending live musical, theatrical, and dance performances, and watching stand-up comedy.
Rev. Larry Wright
Assistant Pastor
Born in Springfield, Ohio, Pastor Larry moved to Menasha, Wisc., during junior year of high school where he met his bride-to-be, Ann. He began studies in forestry and wildlife management at Central State College (Wisconsin) and transferred to Wittenberg University in Ohio when he made the decision to prepare for the ministry.
He graduated from Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary (now merged with Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.) in 1966. Pastor Larry served Christ Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyo., for four years before being called to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, N.M. There he served as lead pastor for 31 years. He was active in civic projects and served on several boards and agencies both in Albuquerque and in the Rocky Mountain Synod. His continuing education opportunities were focused on homiletics, adult education, social ministry, and pastoral ministry in general.
After retirement in 2001, he and Ann became “snow birds” until 2005 when they moved permanently to Osprey, Fla. He has served as a part-time assistant to Faith’s pastors since that time, preaching, teaching, and sharing in the pastoral calling.
Hobbies include painting, woodworking, reading, golf, fishing, fly-tying, and playing and continuing to study the guitar, banjo, and dobro. He participates in bluegrass music jams locally.
Ann and Pastor Larry have been married 60 years. They have three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Rev. Marianne Powrie
Assistant Pastor
Pastor Marianne is a 2002 graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. She is a Certified Biblical Storyteller, is trained in Crossways Bible study and Healthy Congregations Ministry, and is a trained Stephen Ministries leader.
She was a stay-at-home mom when her two children were growing up while also serving as an active church and school volunteer, elected school board member, and board member for Lutheran Children’s Aide and Family Services, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries’ Support to At-Risk Teens (START), and LMM Community Re-Entry.
Prior to seminary, Marianne was the personnel director for a local school district and Director of Caring Ministries at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Westlake, Ohio.
RETIRED PASTORS IN RESIDENCE
Rev. John Hilficker
Retired Pastor in Residence
Rev. John Hilficker was born in a Mennonite home in Bethlehem, Pa. He had three children and now has three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
John is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with 64 years of service ministry as Pastor, Minister of Christian Education, Pulpit Supply Preacher, and Interim Pastor.
He also served as an officer in four bank trust departments. He taught in high schools and junior colleges.
STAFF
Carrie Christenson
Office Administrator
officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com
Office Hours: M-F, 9 AM to 4 PM
Born and raised in Holmdel, New Jersey, Carrie grew up in the ELCA Lutheran Church. She is a graduate of Bucknell University and began her professional career as a Business Process Consultant with Accenture Consulting in Washington, D.C.
Carrie moved to Lakewood Ranch 20 years ago, where she raised her two daughters, now attending the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. While living in Lakewood Ranch, she was an active member of Living Lord Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and dedicated volunteer. She now resides in Sarasota with her two cats.
Carrie has always had a heart for service. She served as President of both the Moms Group and the PTO during her daughters' school years. She also spent 10 years as a substitute teacher in Manatee County before earning her teaching certificate and going on to teach various grades, preschool through middle school. She left the profession in 2024.
Carrie spends her free time volunteering with the Circus Arts Conservatory, ushering at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, reading historical novels and watching shows about travelling.
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Andi Zdrava, European American conductor and pianist, started his career in music at age 5 at the Onufri School of Music in Elbasan, Albania. He has served as music director of Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra, and is founder/conductor of the Illyrian Symphony Orchestra in Sarasota, Fla. Under his leadership, the Illyrian Symphony Orchestra is attracting diverse audiences and has performed at a variety of concert halls.
Andi continues to collaborate with and serve as an international jury member for the Carles and Sofia International Piano Competition. He also has collaborated with multiple prestigious ensembles and organizations, including Opera Tampa, State Orchestra of Athens, Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, St. Petersburg Opera Company, Suncoast Symphony Orchestra, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of Colors. In addition to his solo endeavors, he is a member of the Mirage Piano Trio and Z Square Piano Duo, showcasing his musical versatility.
Born in Elbasan, Albania, and raised in Glyfada, Greece, Andi studied piano under Evgenia Tambulidi at the Glyfada Music Conservatory and earned his piano diploma in 2007. Desiring to share his knowledge and to foster an engaging environment, Andi held teaching positions in piano and collaborative piano at the National Conservatory of Greece and Glyfada Conservatory. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in music composition at the University of Indianapolis under the guidance of Professor Keith Moore.
In 2014, he moved to Tampa, Fla., to pursue his passion in orchestral conducting. He earned master’s degrees in orchestra conducting and piano performance in 2017 from the University of South Florida under mentors Dr. William W. Wiedrich and Dr. Svetozar Ivanov. He continued his educational pursuits during this time as graduate assistant in piano performance and orchestral conducting.
Andi has participated in master classes across Europe, learning from distinguished artists such as Michail Markov, Alexander Ghindin, Nikolai Petrov, and Pascal Rogé. He has performed at numerous concerts, festivals, and competitions across the world, including in The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Russia, Albania, the United States, and Greece.
With his unwavering dedication to and belief in the uplifting power of music to inspire hope, Andi is excited to captivate audiences and to serve Faith Lutheran Church.
MINISTRIES + COMMITTEES
Evangelism
Finance
Food Pantry
Gardening
Mission Endowment
Personnel
Property
School
Stewardship
Safety
Worship and Music