Pastor Joe began his call to Bethel in January 2022.
Joe hails from the snow-covered plains of Fargo, ND. Growing up, he spent summers on Lake Sybil in Minnesota, playing music in church and other ensembles, and cheering for the North Dakota State Bison (properly pronounced “biZon”).
Joe majored in religion and classics at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA), received his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary (St Paul, MN), and earned a Doctor of Ministry in biblical interpretation and proclamation at Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) in 2022. His research focused on hybrid Communion in a digital era of worship.
Pastor Joe met his wife Becca while both working as summer staff at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp. They have two sweet kids, Espen and Linnea, and one very cat-like dog, Rev. Becca works as an K-8 school counselor.
Pastor Joe loves the outdoors, and you can often catch him hucking discs on a disc golf course. His other hobbies include – but are not limited to – playing guitar, brewing beer, skiing (downhill, cross-country, and water!), backpacking, drinking coffee, discussing theology, and cooking.
Pastor Joe would love to get a coffee with you and hear what God is up to in your life!
