Pastors Peter and Carolyn Haas

Home / Our Team

The people behind
the church.

Substance runs on a small staff and a huge team of volunteers. Here are the leaders who set the direction — and the best way to actually meet them is a Sunday and a handshake at the 7 Minute Party.

Lead Pastors

Pastors Peter and Carolyn Haas on stage

Peter & Carolyn Haas

Lead Pastors · Founders

Peter and Carolyn planted Substance in 2004 after a decade of pastoring in Wisconsin. Peter — a former EDM DJ who came to faith in a nightclub — is the author of Pharisectomy and Broken Escalators, and still writes and tours music through Substance I/O and Substance Variant. Carolyn co-leads the church, serves on its executive team and the board of One Hope, and equips church planters around the world. They live in the Twin Cities with their three kids, Lijah, True, and Eden. Both serve on the Lead Team of the Association of Related Churches (ARC).

Executive Leadership

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Nate Puccini

Executive Pastor

Nate oversees the staff and every ministry at Substance alongside Peter and Carolyn. On staff since 2013 — after two years on the Trustee Board and a career running a business of 17 cell-phone stores — he has a heart for developing and encouraging pastors worldwide. He and his wife Jess live in Minneapolis with their two kids.

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Campus Pastors

Northtown · Downtown · Southside · Northwest

Each campus is shepherded by its own pastor and staff team — the people who greet you at the door, lead worship, run kids ministry, and follow up after your first visit. Meet yours in person at the 7 Minute Party.

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Ministry & Studio Teams

Worship · Media · Kids · Youth

Behind every Sunday is a team leading worship (Substance I/O and Variant), producing film and media, and building environments for kids, students, and young adults. Many started as volunteers.

Want in?

01

Join a Team

Serve on rotation — worship, media, kids, parking, Manna Market. The fastest way to feel at home.

See teams → 02

Audition for worship

Play with a click and hit the pitch? PREPARE is how we develop and release new worship leaders — it starts with an audition video.

Learn more → 03

Meet the pastors

Come to a Newcomer's Dinner and meet the staff at your campus face-to-face. No strings.

Save a spot →

Best way to meet us? Show up.

We'll be in the lobby after every service. Come say hi.

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