Immanuel Lutheran Church

Vicar’s Corner

Greetings, brothers and sisters of Immanuel Lutheran Church:

On behalf of my family, I would like to express our joy and eagerness as we begin this journey with you! We already had the blessed opportunity to meet many of you and look forward to meeting the rest. You all have been so thoughtful and kind, which has made our transition as smooth as could be hoped for. I want you all to know that this Swedish Viking from Minnesota is doing his best to acclimate at this, seemingly, God-forsaken weather — but in all seriousness, Killeen has exceeded all expectations and I know we are very blessed to have been placed here. This is my second week back from an inspiring summer of training that took place in Columbia, SC — which, as most of you know, is home to Ft. Jackson. Though I have been training to minister to sailors and marines, I can’t seem to get away from these Army forts. In any case, I know that Imnanuel will serve as an outstanding contextual learning site. My number one goal is this: to learn from each and every one of you on what Church means to you. So, please share your stories and insight with me; and I know in my heart, this year’s experience will stay with me the rest of my life.

God’s peace to each of you,

Vicar Mike

Vicar Mike & Family

Contact Information

Church Office
634-2772

Office Email
elutheranchurch@hot.rr.com

email
vicar.mike@killeenimmanuel.com

Mike was born and raised in Minnesota, just north of the Twin Cities. Mike spent most of his childhood playing sports, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family at their cabin. Mike comes from from a family of three as he has two older sisters. Most of my extended family lives within a few miles of one another and enjoy a sort or “small-town” life. Mike has wonderful relationships with his parents and sisters, all of whom are sure to visit Immanuel.

Mike was a business major at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN. He realized that he was left unfulfilled when it came to his studies and endeavors. It was at that time that Mike began reevaluating his sense of vocation with my family and closest mentors. It wasn’t long before he recognized a yearning for ministry.

After completing the acceptance process, Mike enrolled at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, MN. Though he believed my time at Luther to have been blessed, he felt as though he would better serve God away from what he always knew as “home.” That’s when he decided to transfer to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Since making the transition to LSTC, Mike has found a station for following my heart&rsquoi;s passions that he believes to be the spirit of GOD working within.

While visiting home from LSTC, I took my old high school sweetheart out for coffee. Helen and I were married nine months later and have been blessed with a daughter, June Elizabeth. As mentioned in the approval letter, we are so happy to be joining you all in Killeen!

Mike is thankful for God’s faithfulness to us through Jesus the Christ. We are reminded of this faithfulness as we each march down our respective paths. Mike’s respective path has led him to military chaplaincy, as he has come to understand his call to ministry to be within the U.S. Navy. “God is that fire within that sears, ‘Love and Mission,’ across our hearts. As with Moses and the burning bush, we are given the blessed assurance that this fire will never consume us, but continue to burn within us for all eternity.” — This is his prayer and charge for each of us as we continue to march on this journey, together.