We look forward to meeting all of you and sharing our lives with you on this

journey of life in Christ.

I was born and raised on a farm southwest of Norfolk, where my wife, Sue, is also from. We have a daughter, Emily, who is married to Joe Dixson through whom God blessed us with four grandkids. They live in Council Bluffs, IA. We also have a son, Matthew, who lives in Omaha and is married to Kelsey – they have blessed us with two granddaughters. My mother and Sue’s parents all still live in Norfolk.

After graduating from high school I attended Northeast Community College and learned the carpentry trade. I worked as a carpenter for many years while learning to farm from my father, who established a successful business selling watermelons. As we raised our children on the farm, I also became a substitute rural mail carrier, which one-day replaced my carpentry job. Yet, I kept farming.. because that’s what farmers do.

1. What do you do for a living, if you hadn’t already mentioned in the previous question…

I became more and more active at Grace Luteran Church, and eventually followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting to go to Seminary. I left my full-time mail job and trusted the Lord had a better plan for our lives. I am a 2013 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. I served my first call at Trinity Luthern Church in Amherst, NE. We moved here over the winter to serve as new pastor at St. John’s Lutheran in Wagner and Trinity Lutheran in Fairfax.

2. What do you love most about what you do?

Watching the word of God change people’s lives.

3. If applicable, how did you meet your spouse/ significant other? If possible, provide some fun detail.

I met my wife originally at a wedding, but later saw her a motorcross race where she twisted her ankle and I was there to rescue her and get her back to her vehicle and friends.

4. What has impressed you about Wagner so far?

The friendly people

5. What is your favorite way to spend your spare time?

Riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing and my grandkids.

6. What is your least favorite bill to pay, and why?

Phone, cable TV and internet! They charge too much for less than perfect product.

7. Who is the most entertaining person you know who lives around our area that you’ve met? Why?

Jerry Weber, always full of life and in a good mood! Funny as well!

8. What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who think attending church is not important

9. What is a place you’ve never been but have always wanted to go?

Germany

10. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be and why?

22-25 – Plenty of energy and fearless attitude.

11. What would you say has been your greatest achievement thus far in life?

Being father of a wonderful family and also graduating Seminary.

12. Who, besides your parents, have had the biggest impact on your life? Tell us about them and the impact they’ve had.

My school teacher in our one-room country school who taught us right from wrong.

13. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?

A Bible, my wife and a working cell phone

14. What is one of your favorite quotes?

Git-R-Done

15. What is one piece of “life advice” you’d leave for our readers?

Rely on your faith in God, and He will bless you.