Pastor Steven Rye
Baxter, Minnesota
(765) 491-7338 [cell]
Education
- Mdiv from Wartburg Seminary
- Religion minor from at Luther College; BA in Computer Science
Ordained Employment
- Interim Lead Pastor — American Lutheran Church – Windom, MN (June ) —A large congregation with multigenerational ministry needs and a full staff team
- Supporting the transition from the previous Lead Pastor to the call process.
- Senior Pastor — Lord of Life Lutheran Church – Baxter, MN (10 Years) — A large congregation with multi-generational ministry needs and a full staff team
- Provided visionary leadership, guiding the congregation through strategic planning, stewardship campaigns, and mission focus realignment.
- Supervised a multi-staff ministry team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
- Navigated congregational change and transitions, including staff turnover and governance restructuring.
- Led a conversation and ultimately a decision making process to eliminate unwelcoming policies of the church.
- Preached and presided at weekly worship in both traditional and contemporary formats, integrating liturgy, music, and multimedia.
- Championed local outreach initiatives and expanded the church’s presence in the community.
- Led capital campaign efforts for facility improvements and ministry expansion.
- Developed adult faith formation opportunities, including Bible studies, thematic series, and lay leadership training.
- Offered pastoral care and counseling to individuals and families navigating grief, illness, and life transitions.
- Served on the Synod Council
- Campus Pastor – Purdue Lutheran Ministry (ELCA), West Lafayette, IN (12 years) — A dynamic ministry setting focused on young adult discipleship, vocation, and outreach at a major research university
- Mentored undergraduate and graduate students in faith development, vocational discernment, and personal growth.
- Designed and led weekly worship, incorporating student musicians, creative liturgy, and inclusive preaching.
- Held discussions a variety of contexts with people of widely differing viewpoints: including co-leading a bible study with a Missouri-Synod pastor at the Lutheran Fraternity; spoke weekly to largely Evangelical and “nones” in the Lutheran Sorority, and a graduate student group and undergraduates that represented the entire spectrum of political beliefs.
- Directed retreats, service-learning trips, and alternative spring break programs with a focus on justice and global awareness.
- Built intentional Christian community through small groups, fellowship events, and cross-cultural engagement.
- Cultivated student leadership through internships, peer ministry teams, and student-led worship planning.
- Served on the Campus Ministry and Emergency Planning Committee — a vice-president level committee at a Big 10 University; ministered in that capacity during an on-campus shooting.
- Raised operational funding through donor cultivation, alumni engagement, and grant writing.
- Served as a faculty-staff advisor to: PBX – Lutheran Sorority, Christian Transgender Support group
- Chief Cook for student events, cleaned the facility (including toilets), and washed bottles.
- Pastor – Emanuel Lutheran Church (5.5 years) — A rural mid-sized congregation with deep community roots and evolving generational dynamics
- Provided pastoral leadership in worship, preaching, sacraments, and congregational life.
- Led intergenerational faith formation initiatives, including confirmation, Bible study, and seasonal series.
- Expanded congregational outreach, engaging local food pantries, school partnerships, and care ministries.
- Promoted a culture of welcome and hospitality, especially toward newcomers and returning members.
- Offered consistent pastoral care to aging members and families experiencing loss or health crises.
- Strengthened lay leadership through council development and ministry team collaboration.
- Associate Pastor – Zion Lutheran Church (3 years) — A large, multi-staff congregation with diverse worship styles and extensive programming
- Preached regularly and presided over sacraments in rotation with senior pastor.
- Oversaw youth and family ministries, including confirmation, youth groups, and family faith events.
- Coordinated midweek worship, seasonal programming (Advent, Lent), and Vacation Bible School.
- Collaborated in pastoral care ministry, hospital visitation, and crisis response.
- Participated actively in team-based staff planning and cross-ministry coordination.
Other Employment
- Adjunct Instructor at Rainy River Community College
- 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
Volunteer Positions
- Webmaster, Pequaywan Lakes Association (Pequaywanlakes.com)
- Synod Council, NE MN Synod – Current
- Treasurer – Heartland Conference, NE MN Synod 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
- Candidacy Committee Member at Indiana-Kentucky Synod ELCA (12 Years)
- Regional Campus Ministry Liaison – Churchwide ELCA
- Board President at EWALU Bible Camp & Retreat Center
- Financial Development Team Member at EWALU Bible Camp & Retreat Center
- Board of Directors, Treasurer at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
- Program Committee Member at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
Other Ministry Teams & Experiences
- Quadrennial Review Team – Clemson at Churchwide ELCA
- Quadrennial Review Team – South Carolina at Churchwide ELCA
- Sabbatical Study Visits
- Michigan State Lutheran Campus Ministry
- University of North Carolina Lutheran Campus Ministry
- Mission Trip to Mission Guatemala
- LWR Study Group – Fair Trade Coffee in Nicaragua
- 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
Memberships
- Monastic Associate – New Melleray Abbey, Dubuque, Iowa
- Son’s of Norway
- Association of Christian Fundraisers