Meet our Staff

Pastor John F. Kassouf

Born and raised in New York, "Pastor John" attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Mt. Vernon, NY.  After completing High School, he attended Concordia College New York, graduating with a BA in Biology and Education and a Lutheran School Teacher's Diploma.  He married Fran and moved to Baltimore where he served as a teacher, DCE and then Principal at Calvary Lutheran Church and School followed by St. Paul Lutheran Church in Catonsville, MD.  Pastor John then attended Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada on the campus of Brock University.  Upon completion of his seminary education, Pastor John was ordained in 1992 and served  First Lutheran Church, Huntingtown, MD and St. Matthew Lutheran, Bel Air, MD.  He came to Risen Christ in the fall of 2004.  His hobbies include photography, music and travel.  Pastor John and Fran are the proud parents of Andrew, Tim and Mark. 

Kim Lavado - Education Ministry Specialist - Principal

Kim Lavado, holding an advanced degree from Dominican University in Illinois, grew up in the Myrtle Beach area and began her teaching career at Risen Christ in the early 1980’s. Mrs. Lavado returned to Myrtle Beach with her family in 2004 to accept the position as Principal.  Upon completion of her theological education from the Concordia University System, at the end of 2007, she was commissioned into the education ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod at Risen Christ on Epiphany Sunday 2008.

Cindy Ruisi - Church Secretary/Bookkeeper

Born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, Cindy was employed as a
secretary for several years before marrying and starting her family. In
1996 Cindy and her husband, Joe, moved to the Myrtle Beach area, where they
began attending Risen Christ, becoming involved in church activities right
away. In 1998 she accepted the position as church secretary and bookkeeper. In
addition to her office responsibilities, she volunteers as the A/V
Coordinator for both worship services, and the Special Events Coordinator.
Cindy has two adult children, Ryan and Stacy, and three grandsons, Bradley,
Chase, and Luke, all living in Pennsylvania, and is grandmother to Joe's
four grandchildren, Melissa, Chris, Claire, and Joleen.
 

Sean O'Connor - Ministry Associate in Music - Praise Team Leader

Originally from the Chicago area, Sean, earned a degree in music education from Northern Illinois University.   He has spent a decade performing on cruise ships where he met his wife, Christina.  Sean and his wife, and two children moved to Myrtle Beach from Nashville.

He is involved with a singing group called All Access and have performed at Hard Rock park, Freestyle Music Park, and Market Commons.  All Access has also opened for Edwin McCain a couple of times in Wilmington, N.C.   Mr. O'Connor also performs at Dixie Stampede, where he has worked for a year as backup emcee. "When I am not emceeing, I am a rider, dancer and driving horse wagons. I absolutely love it." He says he emcees roughly a third of the shows throughout the season. 

Mr. O'Connor teaches language arts and social studies to grade six through eight and music to grades three through eight in our school along with leading the Praise Team on Sunday mornings.

Martin Boehling - Ministry Associate in Music - Organist & Choir Director

Angel Lavado - Housekeeping