Our Team
Shaun Rossi
SENIOR PASTOR, full-time
Shaun serves as senior pastor of UCC. A native of Connecticut, in the USA, Shaun is married to Katja, and they have five young children. Shaun moved to Tampere, Finland, about 25 years ago, where he entered a degree program in European Studies while planting a church. After, he earned degrees in theology from the U.K. (London, Cambridge, Manchester) and has recently complete a Ph.D. in theology. In addition to his primary responsibility as Senior pastor of UCC, Shaun is the Dean of Agricola Theological Seminary, serves as an adjunct faculty member at a couple of other seminaries in Europe, and recently stepped down as the European director of church planting for Operation Mobilisation.
Daniel Ottoson
EXECUTIVE PASTOR, Full-Time
Daniel is the administrative coordinator of UCC Espoo and looks after the executive functions at UCC. Originally from the USA, Daniel moved to Finland with his wife Anne in 2007 after spending two years on the missions field in south Asia. The Ottosons have four children. Daniel has a BA in Theology from Agricola Theological Seminary and has a heart for soulcare and discipleship. He is currently working on a certification in Biblical counseling.
Miriam Brown
WORSHIP LEADER, HELSINKI ADMIN COORDINATOR, Full-Time
Miriam works for UCC as an administrative coordinator of UCC Helsinki as well as the music coordinator and communications officer for all of UCC. Miriam has a Masters degree in Theological Studies from Agricola Theological Seminary, and is working on a second album. Her first album, titled “Where Else Can I Go” is available online on all the usual platforms.
Oliver Salonen
INTERIM YOUTH COORDINATOR, part-time
Oliver holds an MSc in Economics and Business Administration and works full-time in IT. He also completed a one-year program at Wildfire Bible College, which deepened his love for theology. At UCC, Oliver coordinates the preteen, teen, and young adult groups, plans youth events, and serves as a regular teacher for the teenagers with a heart to disciple the next generation. Outside of church and work, he enjoys playing chess, skateboarding, and planning his wedding with his fiancée. He is bilingual in Finnish and English.
Sean de Villiers
OFFICE WORKER, Part-Time
Sean is currently studying Business administration and working with the staff team as our office administrator. He is married to Sofia and they have two kids. Originally from South Africa, Sean came to Finland in 2004. Sean worked with OM on the Doulos Ship for two years. After moving to Finland, Sean studied to be a chef, and worked as a chef for 15 years. Sean has a B.A. in Theology from University of Wales and is still finishing his Masters in Theology with Agricola Theological Seminary.
Valtteri Kärkkäinen
MISSIONS COORDINATOR, Part-time
Valtteri is currently studying at seminary full-time and doing a ministry apprenticeship at UCC with the aim of becoming a long-term cross-cultural missionary.