I was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. My home congregation—St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walled Lake—played a vital role in my formative years. God used worship, Sunday School, confirmation class, and attending the National Youth Gathering to capture my imagination for what it might look like to serve the Church as a church worker. As you might imagine, my parents and other influential adults played a major role in my formation as a follower of Jesus.
God also surprised me with a soccer scholarship to Concordia University Ann Arbor. I initially enrolled at CUAA to be a special education teacher; however, I soon changed my course of studies when I got on campus and learned more about the path to the seminary and church work.
I have been serving as a pastor for nearly twelve years now. As I recently told one of our shut-in members who asked me why I became a pastor: “I love Jesus. I love people. I love telling people about Jesus.”
Service
I’ve served at the same congregation—St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett and Lansing—for the entirety of my ministry. It is a beautiful fit for me and my family! We are loved, encouraged, and challenged doing ministry in this community.
Along with serving in the parish, I have been blessed with the opportunity to write and teach for the Church at large. God has provided me with plenty of opportunities to write various books, book chapters, and articles. Also, I have been able to teach at various Concordia Universities and at the Seminaries. I’ve even had the opportunity to do some teaching at sister seminaries around the world!
I cannot think of a better district to serve in than the Michigan District! The love, support, and encouragement of the District [staff], congregations, and people of the Michigan District is so lifegiving to me! I am thankful for the financial support of the District—and the donors—that made it possible for me to attend the seminary in the first place. And, yet, I love how their support did not just end after I finished as a seminary student. The support of the District continued on as I entered into the parish. For example, I was blessed by programs that the district offered for new pastors in the first few years of ministry. Also, the pastor and church worker conferences continue to be a great encouragement to me.
I am especially thankful for the Michigan District staff! It is such a blessing as a parish pastor to have a support team like I have in the District. I know that I can reach out with a question or seeking wisdom from one of the District staff members and they will pour their time, effort, and love into me.
Greatest Need
As a younger pastor in the District, I see a profound need for church planting. I want to see a ‘godly discontentment’ amongst God’s people in the Michigan District so that we ask, ‘What’s the most that we can do to reach people for Jesus?’
Favorite Bible Verse
I love Isaiah 43:1–3 because it is the entire Bible in just a few short verses. I especially love hearing God say, ‘you are mine.’ I think that answers just about every single one of our soul-deep questions in life: Who am I? Am I loved? Where do I belong? Hearing the God of the universe say, ‘you are mine’ gives us a hope-filled answer to all of those questions.
Advice to Those Considering Church Work
Do it! I can think of no better or more fulfilling life than serving God’s people through church work. So many people struggle through work that is unfulfilling or lacking in meaning. Not in church work! Serving God’s people in the Church is among the most fulfilling and meaningful tasks that we can do!
Photo courtesy of Trevor Sutton. Collage photos by Elisa Schulz/Michigan District, LCMS.
