PASTOR JAMES BUSKE
Executive Director

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Pastor James G. Buske is a 1993 Graduate of Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. After attending one year at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, he transferred to Martin Lutheran College in New Ulm, Minnesota and graduated in the spring of 1998. After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2002, Pastor Buske was first assigned to serve as tutor at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wisconsin, where he served as pastor, teacher, coach, and dorm supervisor for the 42 boys that lived on his floor. After two years Jim was then reassigned to serve as associate Pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bremerton, Washington. Pastor Buske accepted the call to serve as Pastor and Director of the Lighthouse Youth Center and has began this exciting ministry to the youth on the north side of Milwaukee in 2006. Pastor Buske has experience organizing and recruiting volunteers, and through the dedication and Christ-like love he has shown for his members he has proven to be a strong mentor and guide for the Lighthouse youth. Pastor Buske and his wife, Terry, have four children.

Adam Zastrow
Director of Business Operations

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Adam joined the LYC team in October '23 after 22 years of management in retail and warehousing/distribution. Adam’s relationship with LYC started more than a decade before while working in several metro Milwaukee Walmarts. He and his wife (Kathleen) became involved through personal giving, trips for kids to family farmland, and serving on the LYC Board of Directors. Adam strives to be an example for their 3 children (Avery, Levi, & Claire) while serving in multiple leadership roles at their home congregation in Hartford, and as a lay member of the WELS synod Board of Ministerial Education. Beyond work & church, you can find Adam on their hobby farm outside of Mayville, attending events to support his kids, recording christian podcasts (enduringchristianity.com), and spending time with his most valued earthly blessing (Kathleen).

Abbie Helwig
Director of Programming

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Abbie's degree in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College, experience teaching in Milwaukee at St. Marcus Lutheran School, and time serving in overseas missions through Friends Network had paved the way to Abbie joining Lighthouse in 2020. After working part-time for 2 years, Abbie joined full-time in 2022 and now thoroughly enjoys structuring and supporting the day-to-day program that Lighthouse offers community youth! Abbie's background in evangelism and youth ministry have prepared her well for her role at Lighthouse, where she is humbled and excited to serve this "little slice of Kingdom work." Abbie and her husband, Phil, love being part of the Lighthouse family.

Abby Rasmussen
Mission Advancement Officer

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Abby joined the Lighthouse team in 2023 and is excited to support the great work being done at all five campuses (and hopefully more in the future!). After several years of working in the retail industry, Abby found her passion in the non-profit sector, putting to work her degrees in Marketing and Management & Human Resources and combining it with a desire for ministry. She lives in Milwaukee with her dog, Frank, and enjoys singing, performing in and choreographing for musicals, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family whenever she can.

Deb Schuetzler
site director —
Garden homes campus

Deb joined Lighthouse in August of 2024 after 12 years at Walmart doing various positions such as HR and management. Prior to that, Deb was a teacher's aide for Peace Lutheran preschool and a stay at home mom. She was looking for a more fulfilling career when she came upon the open site director position for Garden Homes. After much prayer, she eagerly took the role and is very excited to be working with the kids. She lives in Colgate, WI with her husband Mike and has four grown kids.

Billy chojnacki
site director —
havenwoods campus

Billy joined the Lighthouse team as the site director for the Havenwoods location in September of 2022. He graduated from Martin Luther College in 2018 with his pastoral studies degree. Life took him in a different direction before he found his passion for spreading God's word in this unique inner city ministry. He lives in Glendale, Wisconsin with his wife Sarah and his daughter Charlotte. They love spending their time outdoors and going to church together as a family.

Chris Dean
site director —
Polonia campus

Christopher Dean began his journey at Lighthouse in October of 2023 after previously serving in various foreign mission fields for five years. He is blessed to continue using his degree in education, previous ministry experience, and Spanish to serve here at Lighthouse. He is also privileged to be a part of the Lighthouse mission and to contribute to the work being done on the south side of Milwaukee. Since recently moving to Milwaukee, Chris has been enjoying discovering new restaurants and places, while also keeping up his older hobbies such as weightlifting and reading.

Zach klement
site director —
the bridge campus

Zach graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in the year 2020. He proceeded to attend Martin Luther College pursuing a degree in Staff Ministry. During that time at MLC, he became in touch with two things, Lighthouse Youth Center, and his fiancée Katie. Zach joined Lighthouse in the beginning of January 2024 working as a part time assistant, which soon turned into being a full time Site Director. He enjoys everything outdoors, reading, building, and quality time with his fiancée and friends in whatever capacity that might be.

Josh Fenske
Site Director — Appleton Campus

Josh joined Lighthouse Youth Center as the site director for the Appleton location in March of 2023. After initially pursuing an education degree at Martin Luther College, Josh obtained a degree in Construction Management from Fox Valley Technical College. After 7 years in Construction Management, an opportunity for Josh's passion for education and ministry presented itself with a new Lighthouse campus opening at Josh's home congregation of 922 Ministries in Appleton. Based in Neenah, Wisconsin, Josh enjoys outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, exploring nature, and visiting the family cabin with his wife, Meryl, daughters Ayla and Remi, and their chocolate lab, Mocha.

Nick Fahney
Developmental Site Director

Nick is a 2023 graduate of Luther Preparatory School. After spending a semester and a half at MLC he ultimately decided God had different plans for him. He became an hourly manager at Walmart for 4 months until he learned about LYC. He joined the team in August as a Developmental Site Director. In Nick's free time, he enjoys watching the Milwaukee Bucks and playing basketball. He also enjoys working out and spending quality time with friends and family. Nick is the youngest child in his family of 6. Nick is excited to work for LYC and to spread the gospel message.

PART-TIME STAFF