Our Team | About | Spirit Of Joy Lutheran Church

The Rev. Brian W. Cain

Pastor

Pastor Brian was born in Kansas City, grew up in Central Wisconsin, and attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. After graduating, he lived in Wisconsin and had a career in contract manufacturing sales, product development and marketing. He earned his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and over the last 20 years has served parishes in Wisconsin and Arizona. Pastor Brian is a passionate and visionary leader who is passionate about serving in God’s church and helping people grow in their faith. He likes to help people figure out how spirituality can connect them to God and change their life forever. "My goal is to help peple be whole, and that includes spiritual health so we can know Jesus as our friend and companion in life" Pastor Brian has also had experiences in Lutheran Outdoor ministry, law enforcement Chaplaincy, and is an alumnus of the National Ski Patrol. His passions continue to include his family, nature, carpentry, biking and as of late, pickleball. He also serves as a volunteer Docent at Boyce Thompson arboretum where he gives educational tours.

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Laura Rost

Minister of Music - Director of Choirs

Originally from Montana, Laura obtained her B.A in Music and Minor in Psychology from the University of Montana in 2018. Upon graduation, she worked in various office management positions, taught private piano lessons and enjoyed spending time outdoors with her daughter. In June of 2021, Laura made the decision to relocate to Arizona to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Therapy. She is currently fulfilling her six month internship requirement with Arizona State Hospital and plans to take her board certification exam shortly after completion.

Laura's love for Jesus and music were both instilled in her at a young age, as she was brought up in a family of musicians and attended the same Lutheran church for 18 years. She began learning piano at the age of 8, followed by trumpet, which she played in a variety of ensembles through the years. Additionally, she enjoyed singing in her school and church choirs, and is now looking forward to the opportunity to share these blessed gifts and be a part of the music program at Spirit of Joy.

Shiyu Liu

Accompanist

Born in 1994, Shiyu Liu began her musical studies at the age of four. She entered the Affiliated Primary School of Wuhan Conservatory of Music when she was 9, studying under the tutelage of Professor Yiqing Wu. In 2014, she was admitted to Wuhan Conservatory of Music with the highest score and subsequently received her Bachelor of Music degree there. Liu earned her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at Texas Christian University School of Music with full scholarship, where she was a student of Dr. Tamás Ungár. Currently, Liu is pursuing her Doctoral of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at Arizona State University Herberger School of Music with full scholarship and assistantships. Liu is now in the class of Dr. Baruch Meir.

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Minister of Production and Media

Sara Vinson

Minister of Communication

Sara grew up in northern Virginia, actively involved in the VA Synod of the ELCA and all things music-related. She devoted her summers to Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp, where she learned the importance of quiet time alone with God and how to lead impromptu praise breaks with her guitar. After graduating with her BA in Spanish Education, with an endorsement in English to Speakers of Other Languages, from Valdosta State University, she spent a couple of years teaching high school Spanish in southeast Georgia before taking a position in her family’s manufacturing company. She enjoyed the opportunity to learn the family business and work from home with her 1-year-old son, but came down with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in 2015, a rare neurological disorder that left her paralyzed head-to-toe and on a ventilator for months. She credits her physical recovery so far to God’s hands and the healing effects of donated plasma. Sara is well-versed in social media marketing and loves exploring new ways to connect with the community in a positive way. When she isn’t making arts & crafts or riding her recumbent tricycle with her son, you can find her online, advocating for and encouraging others with rare or “invisible” diseases.