My ministry at St. Luke’s has been challenging and rewarding throughout the years.  The Lord has provided a core group of committed Christians who have a deep love for the Lord and a desire to be engaged in ministry.  I am privileged to minister with them and be ministered to in a variety of ways.

Early in life I felt the call to share the good news of Jesus Christ as a pastor.  In the pursuit of this calling I attended St. Paul’s High School and Junior College in Concordia, MO and Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN.  After college I entered Concordia Seminary St. Louis and graduated in 1970.  In 1971, I completed a Master of Sacred Theology in Pastoral Counseling and then accepted a call to St. Luke’s as Associate Pastor.  In 1974, I was called to the senior pastor position in which I continue to serve.

My wife, Kathleen, and I were married in 1969.  The Lord has blessed our marriage in many ways including four children:  Eric, Christopher, Elisa and Angela.  We are now additionally blessed with seven grandchildren. 

We, at St. Luke’s, invite you and look forward to meet you.

Peace and Joy in Christ,

Pastor Tim Wenger

Rev. Timothy Wenger
Senior Pastor

I was born in Platteville, Wisconsin on April 5, 1958.
I grew up on a dairy farm along with one brother and four sisters, was baptized in May of 1958 at First English Lutheran Church in Platteville and confirmed there in 1972.
I graduated from Belmont Community Schools.

In 1976 I attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and graduated in 1980 with a B.S. in Industrial Technology.  After graduation I worked for Del Monte Corporation and then returned to UW-Platteville and completed a M.S. in Industrial Technology in July of 1983.  In August of 1983 I started a 12 year career at Farnam Sealing systems in the area of Quality and Processing Engineering.

I joined St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in the fall of 1984.  I taught Sunday School for ten years and worked with the youth program for several years.  I served on the Church Council as the Director of Ministry of Discipleship and later as the Director of the Ministry of Missions.

In July of 1999 I completed my vicarage year at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Ontario, Oregon.  In August of 1999 I was called as an Associate Pastor to Calvary Lutheran Church and later as Senior Pastor in August of 2005 and served there through January of this year. My wife Paula and I have three children: Kristy 18, Rebecca 16, and John 14.

Rev. THOMAS GRAVES
ASSOCIATE Pastor

My name is Martha Strong and I am the Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry, here at St. Luke’s. I graduated with a D.C.E. Specialist degree (’88) and Masters in Parish Education (’93) from Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, NE. I also have a BFA from Drake University in Des Moines, IA in Theatre Design and Public Relations. 

My first call was to Our Redeemer, Freeport, IL where I also served my D.C.E. Internship (’87-95).  My second congregation was Redeemer, Springfield, MO where I served until coming to St. Luke’s in February 1999. My call at St. Luke’s is working with Christian Education for all ages, working with youth ministry for 3^rd through 12^th grade and developing ministry to all families of St. Luke’s.

Martha Strong
Director Of Christian Education

My name is James Johnston, and I have the privilege of serving Jesus Christ at St. Luke’s Lutheran church as Pastoral Assistant.
I am married to Valeria, one of the church organists.  We have three children and two grandchildren.

My main area of responsibility is leading support groups.

1. GriefShare:

GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them.  It's a place to be around people who understand what you are feeling.  At GriefShare, you'll learn valuable information about recovering from your grief and renewing your hope for the future.

2. Celebrate Recovery:

Celebrate Recovery is a Biblical and balanced program that can help you overcome your hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the steps we need to take in His Sermon on the Mount.  My prayer for you is that through Celebrate Recovery, you will find deep peace and lasting freedom in Jesus Christ as you walk your own road to recovery.

3. Choosing Wisely:

Choosing Wisely is a program for married people who are starting to think about getting a divorce.  Before you call an attorney, call the church to get involved in this study.  You and your spouse might be able to save your marriage.

4. DivorceCare:

DivorceCare is a support group for people who have divorced.  Once the divorce is final, people can have a grief experience.
They need support to deal with the hurt and the pain of the divorce.  The gospel of Jesus and His people can give the support you need.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-4

Jim Johnston
Deacon

DAVE MUELLER
MUSIC DIRECTOR

Holly Johnson
Parish Administrator
Church Secretary