Both Pastor and Gail grew up in Minnesota.  Pastor grew up on a farm near New Ulm and Gail grew up near Cottage Grove.  Both graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul.  I with a BA in Social Work (90) and Gail with a BA in Accounting (91).  I attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and  received a M.Div. (94). 

While at Seminary, I also worked P/T at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana and Charter Beacon Hospital as a mental health counselor and was responsible for leading group therapy sessions, individual care, and ER evaluations. 

I have been a pastor for 30 years this coming June (2024) and have served congregations in Illinois and Minnesota, most recently at Redeemer, New Ulm for the past 20 years.  Gail has worked at various places of employment throughout the years.  Most recently she was employed at Brown County and worked there for 15 years within the Social Services Dept., Treasurer Office, DMV, and these last 10 years with Administration, Payroll and HR. 

We were married June 22, 1991, and have been blessed with two adult children, Grace and Gideon.  Grace is married to her husband Zane, and they have two children, Isaiah and Ezra.  They live in Houston, TX where she is employed at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital within the medical lab with quality oversight and regulations.  Gideon is employed at Bolten-Menk Engineering and is a structural engineer.  He can work remotely but currently lives in New Ulm and is based out of the Burnsville office. 

For hobbies we enjoy trips to see the grandchildren and then too we enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking & fishing.

We are looking forward to a new chapter in our life and ministry together here at St. Stephen’s and St. John’s.