Trinity Evangelical Free Church

A Personal Testimony

My life began in the tiny, Norwegian Lutheran community of Sunburg, located in west central Minnesota. I, my three brothers and two sisters, were blessed with parents who sought the Lord. Their spiritual hunger began in, but led them out of, their local Lutheran church and to the Assembly of God in the nearby community of Willmar. It was here that my spiritual roots were to set down.

My father and mother led me to Jesus. By their example, counsel and prayers I committed my life to Christ at the early age of twelve. I well remember the relief of forgiveness and the thrill of new birth!

Simultaneous with my conversion was my call to serve Christ and His Church in full-time ministry. This was a definite inner conviction and has been confirmed and further defined since that first day. At present, I am confident that God has called and equipped me to serve Him as pastor of a local church. I love the ministry and thank God for ordaining me into it (Tim. 1:12).

While still in high school I began readying myself for the ministry. I grew through regular devotional times and involvement in church and Youth for Christ. I also learned the basics of the piano, which has proved helpful to me.

Upon graduation I followed my older brothers and sister to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. There I majored in speech communication and Greek in preparation for seminary. Involvement in Campus Crusade for Christ, as well as local churches, made these years some of the most spiritually challenging for me.

One of the first challenges came in the area of my church's doctrine of the Holy Spirit ("the baptism"). Through considerable study and interaction with persons on both sides of the issue I set my feet down outside the walls of my denomination's statement of faith. I thereupon began looking for another church. In spite of the parting of the ways I still look back with gratitude that there it was I first tasted the grace of God and felt His call upon my life.

During my third year at the University my search for another church led me to Park Avenue Covenant. This was significant for me in at least three ways. I accepted my first staff position (Director of Outreach). I worked with a Trinity graduate who encourage me in the direction of the EFCA. Most importantly, I met the girl of my dreams, Pam. You must get to know her! She is my devoted partner in marriage and ministry. She inspires me to think like Augustine, preach like Spurgeon, and then asks me to change the baby's diaper!

Following my graduation from the U of M, I was unsure of which denomination I wanted to serve (Free or Covenant). I kept both options open and added a third by enrolling in Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul (BGC).

During my first year of seminary and prior to marrying Pam, I accepted a call to serve the Edina EFC with Rev. Harold Friesen. My position was Minister to Youth. When my wife and I were married (one year later), I resigned the job to give more time to developing our relationship.

In this first year of our marriage, we began attending First Covenant Church in Minneapolis in order that I might learn preaching from Rev. David Larsen, a family friend who had also tied the wedding knot for Pam and me. I taught the young married class during this year. The following summer I agreed to assist Dr. Arley Bragg in the interim work back at Edina Free. I, like many others, owe much to him. My commitment, however, was only for the summer. David Larsen had chosen me to be his next "Timothy" and I began my duties as Assistant Pastor at First Covenant that fall.

The next two years were filled with the richest kind of pastoral experience. I taught S.S. and midweek Bible Studies, made hospital, nursing home and general membership visits, directed our EE III Ministry, participated regularly in worship services, served communion, conducted my first baptismal service, counseled and more! During the entire time I was under the scrutinizing eye of my mentor. Frequent interaction over everything from the rapture to the proper use of one's date book served to develop both my theology and practice of ministry. I remain deeply indebted to God for this friendship.

Upon graduation from Seminary I received and accepted a call to pastor the Windom EFC in southwestern Minnesota. The past three and one-half years have been among the best in my life. Carrying on a pastoral ministry with an emphasis upon preaching God's word to God's people is to me the fulfillment of a dream first envisioned as a twelve year old boy on my knees giving my heart and life to Jesus.