About me
Camp Experience and Early Career
I spent eight formative summers working at various camps, including Riverside, EWALU, and Sky Ranch. During this time, I developed a passion for camp ministry and explored potential leadership roles. I even took a clerical position in the Development office at Wartburg Seminary to gain experience in fundraising.
Academic and Professional Growth
After completing my undergraduate studies, I attended Wartburg Theological Seminary and interned at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where I contributed to development efforts. I then served as the Associate Pastor of a large congregation in International Falls, Minnesota for three years, then as a Parish Pastor in Strawberry Point, Iowa for five year, then a campus pastor at Purdue University, where I led a Lutheran campus ministry with approximately 120 students in size, where I engaged in fundraising, and represented the synod and the larger church to congregations.
Leadership and Service
Throughout my career, I have held various leadership positions within the church. I have served on boards of directors for Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry (VLM) and EWALU, chaired development committees, and served as President of the EWALU Board. Additionally, I have been a Conference Dean, a member of the Candidacy Committee, and a regional representative to campus ministry.
Senior Pastor at Lord of Life
For the past ten years, I have served as the Senior Pastor at Lord of Life. In this role, I have led a congregation of over 800 active members, managed a staff of six, and guided the congregation through significant transitions, including the departure of the founding pastor and a financial crisis. I have also been actively involved in community outreach and provided pastoral care to local adult living centers.
Key Accomplishments
- Led a large congregation through various transitions and challenges
- Managed a staff of six
- Centered our council work and our congregational life on our mission statement: “To deepen and enrich our connections to Christ, our Community, and each other.”
- Engaged in community outreach and partnerships
- Provided pastoral care, worship leadership, preaching and teaching
HERE IS AN INVENTORY OF MY CHURCH INVOLVEMENT [including the length of service for major commitments]
- Senior Pastor at Lord of Life Lutheran Church – Baxter, MN (10 Years)
- Treasurer – Heartland Conference, NE MN Synod ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – Clemson at Churchwide ELCA
- Campus Ministry Advisory Board Member at Churchwide ELCA
- Campus Safety & Emergency Planning Committee Member at Purdue University
- Call Committee – Program Director for Campus Ministry for Churchwide ELCA
- Mission Trip to Mission Guatemala
- LWR Study Group – Fair Trade Coffee in Nicaragua
- Campus Pastor at Purdue Lutheran Ministry ELCA – (12 Years)
- Candidacy Committee Member at Indiana-Kentucky Synod ELCA (12 Years)
- Quadrennial Review Team – South Carolina at Churchwide ELCA
- Regional Campus Ministry Liaison – Churchwide ELCA
- Sabbatical Study Visits
- Michigan State Lutheran Campus Ministry
- University of North Carolina Lutheran Campus Ministry
- Quadrennial Review Team – U of Oklahoma – Churchwide ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – Texas A&M at Churchwide ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – University of Texas at Churchwide ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – Ohio State at Churchwide ELCA
- Conference Dean at Indiana-Kentucky Synod ELCA
- University Religious Leaders Treasurer at Purdue University
- Quadrennial Review Team – UW-Plattville at Churchwide ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – UW-Madison at Churchwide ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – Iowa State at Churchwide ELCA
- Board President at EWALU Bible Camp & Retreat Center
- Pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church [5 1/2 years]
- Financial Development Team Member at EWALU Bible Camp & Retreat Center
- Associate Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church [3 years]
- Board of Directors, Treasurer at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
- Adjunct Instructor at Rainy River Community College
- Program Committee Member at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
- Development Clerk at Wartburg Theological Seminary
- Pastoral Intern at Lutheran Student Center
- Village Coordinator at Sky Ranch
- Program Director at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp
- Backpacking Guide at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp
- Camp Counselor and Photographer at Ewalu
- Mdiv from Wartburg Seminary
- Religion minor from at Luther College; BA in Computer Science