Ministry Staff

Dr. George Davis, Senior Pastor

Before coming to Salem in 2000, George spent four years in England, where he earned a PhD in New Testament from Cambridge University. Over the years, he has also lived in Illinois, Kentucky, and Texas. Since he grew up in Dallas, he is still an avid fan of Dallas sports teams (sorry Vikings fans!). George and his wife Rose live in south Fargo and have three sons. The boys enjoy having Dad read to them, wrestle and play tag at the park. As a pastor, George’s passion is to help people “grow up” in their relationship with Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes: “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

Tom Smithson, Adult & Children's Discipleship Pastor

Tom and his family returned to Fargo in 1994 when he became the 7th and 8th grade Bible instructor at Park Christian School. He has 14 years of teaching experience and 7 years of pastoral experience. Tom's wife, Deb, is a Spanish teacher at Fargo North. They have three girls in college. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Tom's desire is that these words of Jesus would be true of believers at Salem as they get involved in small groups that truly love one another just as Jesus loves us.

Kent Hannestad, Youth Pastor

Pastor Kent oversees a balanced program of discipleship and evangelism for 7th through 12th graders. Prior to coming to Salem in 2001, Pastor Kent served as a youth pastor in Brooklyn Park and Richfield, Minnesota and in admissions at Northwestern College. Pastor Kent and his wife, Kari, live in north Fargo. In his spare time, he enjoys sports including basketball. Kent is from Fargo and a graduate of Oak Grove High School. Kari is from the Twin Cities. They met at Northwestern College and have three children.

Clayton Lindgren, Visitation Pastor

Clayton was a charter elder and active with the group of Bethel Evangelical Free church people commissioned to plant Salem in the late 70's. He served in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the Dakotas for 22 years before joining the staff of Salem as the associate pastor in 1986. Since 1997 he has served in a part time Visitation Pastor position. He works with pastoral care ministries such as the Care Team and Stephen Ministries and also helps coordinate the Prayer Team. Pastor Clayton and his wife, Emmy Lou, live in north Fargo. They are the parents of three sons and six grandchildren. Clayton's hobbies include walking/biking, singing, and gardening. Clayton grew up near Wolverton, Minnesota and his wife is from Fargo.

Lee Wuflestad, Worship Pastor

Lee, his wife Holly and three children moved to Fargo from Brainerd/Baxter, MN in the summer of 2006. Lee served as worship pastor at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter, MN for 5 years before accepting the same position at Salem. Prior to that, Lee worked in the business community in Brainerd/Baxter and in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Lee's passions in ministry involve participating with the Body of Christ in corporate worship as well as walking together with people as we grow in our personal times of worship. He oversees Sunday morning worship services including worship, audio and video teams.

Last Update: 14 October 2006
Copyright 2006 by Salem Evangelical Free Church of Fargo, North Dakota