Living Savior is blessed to have two pastors serving our two locations. Although both are actively working in both locations as a team for the betterment of overall ministry, Pastor Caleb Kurbis serves predominantly as the campus pastor of our Asheville location and Pastor Paul Zell serves predominantly as the campus pastor of our Hendersonville location.
Pastor Caleb Kurbis
Since 2011, my wife, kids, and I are happy to call Western North Carolina "home" and Living Savior our church family. 
Being a pastor has always been on my mind. More than anything that's because pastors, teachers, my parents, and others encouraged me to consider it. And I always admired the humble service God was carrying out through the pastors in my life. So, from early on, being a pastor has always been in the picture. And I couldn't be happier to say it's a reality.
I enrolled at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. It was there that I received my BA. It was also there that I met my wife, Sarah who was preparing to become a teacher. I pursued my education and ministry preparation at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. During these four years, I continued the intense studies I began in college, studies in the original, biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), counseling, preaching, outreach, and more. I also thoroughly enjoyed the practical experiences in the Milwaukee area and through a year of internship in Summerville, SC. It was also during these years that Sarah and I were married. We have been blessed with four children: Micah, Madelyn, Jonah, and Elias. They have made life fun and filled with blessings beyond what we could have anticipated. God is good!
God continues to bless this incredible church family with an exciting ministry and increasing opportunities to reach out to our community. You will find that Living Savior is a place where Christians connect with one another and with their Savior Jesus. The people of Living Savior and I would love for you to experience what we have found together, peace in Jesus our Savior and purpose in life
If I am not in the office, I am visiting people, and/or spending valuable family time. Call or e-mail me anytime. I look forward to getting to know you and sharing the message of your Savior, Jesus, with you. I would love to grab a "non-committal" cup of coffee to discuss anything about God, his Word, his saving love for you, and how that impacts families and our surrounding community.
Pastor Caleb Kurbis
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Call me at 828.650.0404 - ext. 200.
Pastor Paul Zell
May I introduce myself?
I was brought up in the Midwest. My dad was a pastor, my mom a registered nurse. As a boy I dreamed 
of a lifetime playing and coaching basketball. When you stand next to me, you’ll immediately see with your own eyes why I thought I had a decent chance. Yet the pastors and teachers I came to know over the years also had me considering of a different sort of calling.
During my first dozen years out of the seminary I was an instructor at two different Lutheran high schools and the pastor of a congregation known for its campus ministry. All of that took place north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Afterwards I served for ten years as pastor of a church in Georgia. As you might expect, my family fell in love with the South. Yet from 2002 through 2017 we were back in the Midwest.
At Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary I enjoyed the privilege of training future pastors, teaching courses in the New Testament and in preaching.
God has blessed my wife Cathy and me with three children. Our son currently resides in Oregon. Our two daughters plus one son-in-law live in Virginia. Recently we’ve been given the special joy of having grandchildren to love.
Cathy and I have enjoyed making Living Savior Lutheran Church and Hendersonville “home.” But Cathy and I didn’t move here for what we can gain from living in the South once again. We are here to share the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
You see, when you come to know the Holy Scriptures, you find that God’s grace is not only “amazing,” like the song says; it’s also powerful and practical. God’s grace is a comfort in times of stress. It gives rest to those who are weary. It brings God’s everlasting mercy even the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:12-17) and an “overflowing hope” to anyone who trusts in him (Romans 15:13).
If you’re still reading this little “bio,” I hope you will give me the opportunity to show you what the Scriptures say and to build you up in the grace of God that’s poured out through Jesus Christ. Please don’t be reluctant to get in touch with me with a text, email, or phone call.
Pastor Paul Zell
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828.595.4086
Pastoral Intern ("Vicar") Nathaniel Brauer
A Midwestern man ended up in a state he’s never been to for his “vicar” year. I am very happy to be in North Carolina!
Growing up, I wanted to be a pastor. At that time, it was because that’s what dad did–and what young boy doesn’t dream of being like dad? But being a pastor is so much more than just “doing what dad does.” It’s about caring for souls both present and future. That became all the more clear after a trip to Virginia in high school. I had never been at a church where the majority of the people had no connection with Jesus for most of their lives. That trip cemented my desire to serve God as a pastor.
I graduated from Martin Luther College with a bachelor’s degree in 2022, and started attending Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary that fall. After two years there, myself and thirty-nine other men received assignments to serve as vicars/pastoral interns from August 2024 to August 2025. Learning from Pastor Kurbis and Pastor Zell will give me many chances to sharpen some skills, grow so much more, and be challenged with new opportunities. I’m blessed to call Living Savior and Asheville “home”.
I enjoy playing and watching baseball, doing landscape work/mowing, and spending time with people I know or have just met. I would love to get to know you and you to know me.
Always remember Jesus!
Nathaniel Brauer
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828-650-0404 Ext. 202