Pastor Jerry was born and raised on a farm 20 miles west of Appleton, Wisconsin. The home, originally built by his grandfather, remains in the family giving ample opportunity for many trips “down memory lane.”
It was through the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church educational system that Pastor Jerry received his Master of Theology degree. His first call was to a congregation in Nipigon, Ontario, Canada followed by one in Ashland, Wisconsin for two years. He joined the ELCA after 10 years in ministry serving as a parish pastor, hospital chaplain, and the Pastoral Director of a Wholistic Health Center. Most of his parish ministry in the ELCA took place in northern Illinois with stops in Mendota, Elgin, and Glenview prior to moving to Stoughton, Wisconsin in 2008.
Pastor Jerry has served as an interim pastor since coming to the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin. He remains willing to assist congregations of the synod address anxiety and/or conflict in their setting. He enjoys sharing in the life a vibrant congregation and because of that joined St. John’s several years ago. He began serving in his part time role as Pastor of Congregational Care in 2021 and enjoys hearing people’s life stories and sharing his gifts wherever they can best be used.
He and his wife Lynn have four sons who with their families live in the upper Midwest caring for their seven grandchildren. Hobbies include wood turning, bee keeping, traveling, reading, as well as following selected sport’s teams.