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 Staten Island native, Pastor Olsen received a B.A. in Anthropology from SUNY-Albany and Kansai Gaidai University, Japan. 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 in NYC and Philadelphia.
​
Before accepting the call to Faith Lutheran, Pastor Eric served congregations in Plainview, Buffalo, New Hyde Park, Manhattan, and Staten Island, NY. He also interned at the Lutheran World Federation’s U.N. office. Eric served as a Chaplain for the New Hyde Park and Garden City Park Fire Departments as well as for Nassau County. He was chaplain to Rescue 5 FDNY during and following 9/11 and served as Fire Chaplain for the City of Buffalo.
​
Eric has served on the board of directors for numerous non-profits. He is a past Chair of the POB Interfaith Clergy Council and of LI-CAN (Long Island Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods), and served as Vice-Chair and development committee chair for The Wartburg, Mt. Vernon, NY. Eric also served on the Lutheran Schools Association of New York and the Martin Luther Camp Association (Koinonia) boards.
​
A lifelong learner, Pastor Eric was a fellow in the prestigious Clergy Leadership Program at The Chautauqua Institution (2015–17). He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education.
Rev. Larry Wright
Assistant to the 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.
RETIRED PASTORS IN RESIDENCE
Rev. Marianne Powrie
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.
Rev. John Hilficker
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
Executive Assistant
officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com
Office Hours: M-F, 9 AM to 4 PM
Born and raised in Holmdel, NJ, Carrie grew up in the ELCA Lutheran Church. After graduating from Bucknell University, she started her career as a Business Process Consultant with Accenture Consulting in Washington, DC.
​
She moved to Lakewood Ranch 20 years ago where she has raised her daughters. Carrie is a member of Living Lord Lutheran Church in Lakewood Ranch and active as a volunteer and Sunday School teacher.
​
She was the President of both the Moms Group and the PTO while her children were young. She was a substitute teacher in Manatee County for 10 years before receiving her teaching certificate. She taught various grades from preschool through middle school for several years, leaving the profession in 2024.
​
She continues to volunteer with the Circus Arts Conservatory and as an usher at the Van Wezel. Carrie has a heart for service and joined the Faith Lutheran staff in 2025.
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