Welcome to Atonement Lutheran Church!

I pray you hear these words as an invitation to visit here for the first time or to return again. I am consistently amazed by the warm welcome and sense of invitation in this community. I grew up in a small farming community in northern Illinois called Earlville. And while I could not wait to shake the dust from my heels and see other parts of the country and world, I find that the sense of community I learned there is part of who I am. I am happy to find that community here.

I attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and received a B.A. in History. Upon graduation, I began work as the Assistant Program Director at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon, IL. Later, I served as Director of Youth Ministry at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, MN.

My wife and I were married in September of 2001. After a couple more years of youth ministry, Stacey and I decided it was time to go to seminary and commit to a life of ministry in the church. We moved to Dubuque, IA, where I attended Wartburg Theological Seminary. During this time, our two children were born. Sam is 3 and Maya is 1 and we enjoy every minute with each of them. I served St John Lutheran Church, Farmington Hills, MI during my year of internship before returning to seminary to await the call process. After being assigned to the St Paul Area Synod, I was called as the solo pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church in November 2007.

As pastor, I have been reminded of the blessing it is to work with, to pray with, to worship with, and to dream with other people who have been captivated by the call Jesus Christ has made in all of our lives. I am excited by how we have grown together and by where we are going together. I invite you to come along for the ride. Whether you are a member of Atonement or another congregation, whether you have a church home or not, and whether you are in the early stages of your life of discipleship or a veteran of many years on the journey with Christ, I pray that you find the grace, love, forgiveness, and life that Christ promises to all those who seek.

See you in worship!