Pastor Appreciation Wall

Pastor Jeff has reached out to my family from the very beginning. We are still rather new to the church, a young family with 3 littles. Going to church regularly is not easy and often we need to choose which one of us gets to go. Jeff has encouraged us and acknowledged our struggle when he didn’t need to. He leads the church and his sermons with the mentality of “Jesus above everything.” This seems like something most churches should follow, but is less commonly found in practice. The emotion he emits during sermons is palpable and genuine. “Bless the gift and bless the giver.” I feel like he blesses the church and he deserves to be blessed in return.

I love our pastors that will do anything for anyone. They are a living statement of what Jesus wants us to be like.

He teaches us to be disciples. Not only does he Pastor our church and lead our congregation, but he has now just taken on the position as State Evangelism Director in Minnesota. He runs are church with us in mind, it’s not his church it’s God’s and all of ours. We are a family. We don’t have huge church but we have a church filled with so much love it’s overflowing. And you can’t find anyone in our church that won’t reach out to help you. Our church is filled with people who serve. I believe this is all due to the direction of the message we receive from our Pastor. He is true blessing to our church community and now he will be a true blessing to the state of Minnesota in his new position as well. He is still going to remain as our pastor; God bless him. He is kind and his words are true. I love that his word comes directly for the Bible and that it’s not all just the soft stuff, even if some of the things are hard to hear. We need to hear it all, not just how much God loves us, but how we need to being living. And sometimes that’s not always easy to hear. Our Pastor is a great man of God.

During a traumatic moment of my life, as I started to become distant from my God. My pastor, who has always been there asking questions and leading me through this though time using the word of God, helped me come back to God and our community. He encouraged me as a Christian, but also a friend. I am very thankful!

I love our Crossroads Church Youth Pastor, Grace Brager, for the ways she walks and lives life with the youth in our community. From bringing donuts to the middle school lunch to playing trivia, she invites youth to church by loving them regardless of their season of life. She goes to all of their sporting events, musicals, and more to show her support and is always the first to tell them that she is proud of them!

Pastor Kenny is not only energetic, but is so caring, and he loves the Lord so much. Kenny is filled with the Holy Spirit! And he walks the walk. He constantly lifts our church up in prayer and he is an excellent teacher! He is selfless and compassionate. We are so blessed to have him as our pastor.

Larry Thomas is not only a pastor but also a true friend, a brother, a father figure, a mentor, and a mediator. He is a counselor, educator, business partner, cheerleader, coach, and accountability partner. Larry is also a gifted author, a dedicated scholar, and a joyful giver. He is a dreamer with unwavering faith, a prayer warrior, and above all, a steadfast believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The pastor is my husband so I appreciate a lot about him. This is his first call and the fact that he is doing a 2 point parish with very little staff support just amazes me. He is a very caring man who wants what is best for everyone. I love him and I am very proud of him!

The reason why I appreciate Pastor Rapp is because when we were adopting our two kids, I did not know how I was going to get them to a therapy appointment because me and husband work. Our pastor volunteered to take them and ensure that we would be able to adopt them. I never got a chance to thank him enough for helping us with such a difficult situation and what a blessing they are with their addition to our lives.

Pastor Justin married our daughter in 2021. Because our daughter was a medical resident, he took the time to meet with them many times rather than sending them to a marriage retreat that would not work in her schedule. In addition, he officiated the ceremony even though he was on sabatical that summer. Finally, our daughter has had several miscarriages and almost died from hemorraging following the third miscarriage. He was there to support them. Now, with our daughter 31 weeks pregnant, he and the church pray for her faithfully each week. We can’t thank him enough and tell him how much his compassion and support have ment to our family. Thank you PJ!

Pastor Brian Suter of Branch Church in Shorewood, MN, is a truly incredible individual. From the moment I met him, he made me feel seen, heard, and understood. My now wife and I, which Pastor Brian married us this past June, joined Branch Church about a year ago and the moment we walked in the door he stopped us for close to 20 minutes just to say hi and introduce himself. He has since welcomed us into his home and led us in our walk with God and has been a true role model for me. Pastor Brian embodies Him in all that he does, being a minister of His work in all that he does, acting as salt and light to those around him. If any pastor is deserving of this, it’s Pastor Brian. This man has worked tirelessly to plant Branch Church and to connect people to Jesus and each other through the truth of God’s word. Thank you, Pastor Brian, for all that you do. God bless!

Pastor Spencer at Christ Redeemer Church in Cottage Grove just moved to Minnesota with his family. Quite an adventure. With a great ability to handle Scripture and be vulnerable, the church is inspired and grateful God brought his family to the Twin Cities!

Our pastor Emilio Menjivar, is a man of faith even in the middle of health complications He is confident on the word of God by leading our church by a great example.

Pastor Aaron is probably one of the most caring men I have ever met. He is a youth pastor at Crossview Covenant Church. He has this big heart for the youth that he works with. He is always ready to talk.

Pastor Dave from River of Life in Elk River Minnesota has been speaking the word for many years. We’ve been attending ROL for about 7 years now. One thing that has been important to my husband and I is how Pastor Dave applies the stories in the Bible to everyday life. He inspires us to seek Jesus ever day and go further than just being followers of Christ, him and his wonderful wife Anne, are so deserving of this, and I know me and many others are so grateful for their leadership and passion for Jesus Christ!

Isaac Gilligan along with his wife, Zoe, joined Litchfield Christian Church as our new senior minister earlier this year. We are truly blessed to have Isaac as our new minister. He has done a great job developing personal relationships with our church family. We thank God for leading them to Litchfield, MN.

Father Paul Haverstock has had significant, lifelong impact on my life in a short period of time. Within the past year, I have been searching for a more structured, relationship seeking faith. In searching for a church and priest that offers those qualities and makes faith “fun”, Father Paul opened a door that I didn’t know was possible. He is wise, witty, patient, precise, and a great listening ear. With each question I have had about the Catholic faith, Father Paul has not judged or avoided, but rather, he has gone the extra mile to explain and provide deep, relatable context. As my fiancé and I prepare for marriage, I am eternally grateful for a priest who brought us closer to God, makes us laugh, and shares his own vulnerabilities. A shout out and “hallelujah” hardly scratches the surface of appreciation.

Pastor Denny Johnson is an amazing speaker. He preaches straight from the bible. Every Sunday he is greeting people as they enter the church. He also is at the door when they leave. He has a true heart for God.

In the midst of all their responsibilities, they hear far more negative feedback. From all walks of people it’s rare, far and in-between that they ever hear of the positives and impact that they continuously deposit into people. Yet they still have to remain transparent to the people who they are called to lead and to serve. I honor you today and every day – Bishop DL Bryant Kemp Sr. and Pastor Kevin Wiseman – of New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church – Minneapolis.

I am nominating Pastor Troy from Grace Church in EP. I have been going to Grace for 5 years. He has gotten me excited to learn about God and have a passionate heart to follow the LORD. He teaches straight from the bible. He even spent a year teaching out of Revelation! Thank you Pastor Troy!

Zach Claussen and Amy Claussen are both so helpful and prayed over me for various reasons. I was stuck with writing my testimony and ask for prayer, immediately was given words to write. I was nervous for my first scan post chemotherapy and they prayed that I would feel his presence. I felt a hand on my shoulder and it wasn’t either of theirs. I asked help for over my nerve that is damaged. They are so friendly and easy to talk to.

I appreciate Pastor CJ for all he does for both Cross of Christ Church and Cannon River Church even though he is going through a challenging time. He is always there if you need him. He is working to help make both churches better by trying new things .

My pastor Joshua Rodriguez is a great Pastor. He’s been our pastor for 10 years. Our church is in Willmar, Minnesota. He lives in Hanley Falls, Minnesota. It is an hour to and from. Through rain snow or sunshine he shows up every service to bring us the word. There has been a couple times where the weather is so bad with blizzard-like conditions. We think “Oh no church will be canceled,” but nope, not our Pastor. He pulls up into our church driveway with a smile ready to open the doors to greet the church and receive each and everyone of us. He’s guided me through some pretty rough times in my life and is always uplifting me with prayers and words of wisdom. With that, I nominate my Pastor Joshua Rodriguez.

Darrell Holden of Christ Community Church in Richester is a very good pastor. He gives very powerful and insightful sermons and he is a very caring and sincere person and we love him.

Pastor Sten leads our congregation with passion and care. He is Biblically solid while preaching at a layman’s level. We appreciate his capable, calm presence as well as his humor. We love how he reminds us each week that our mission as a church is to offer a place where we can connect a real God with real people!

Pastor Jason has served as Senior Pastor the past 2 1/2 years. I spent 11 days with him in Guatemala in 2023 visiting are partner church St. Augustin and 18 days in 2024 in Tanzania visiting our two partner churches in Iringa, Tanzania Ipogoro and Nyahamga. Pastor Jason has preached when faith is at the center of our life, we catch the movement of GOD. Pastor Jason preaches each of us is a gift to one another. When we share the gifts we have the sum is always greater than the individual parts. Pastor Jason invites Augustana to “Move Together by Faith!” When we commit to moving together as a Church it produces goodness within us and goodness for others too. Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when GOD’S people live together in unity.” Despite the many changes at Augustana since covid in 2020 it’s right where I belong.

Dr. Nate Ruch follows God and Jesus!! He points us to them always and encourages us to grow in relationship with them!

She is strong, funny, optimistic, outgoing. Pastor to a 3 church parish, working with 3 different congregations every week and on every Sunday morning for each of their services. She doesn’t let much faze her and she stands up for herself and God. Keeping everything straight and in order with all 3 churches, having time for her family, grandchildren and worshipers is overcomer! Just like the lyrics from Mandisa’s song “Overcomer”, Pastor Vicki VanderVegt can do anything she puts her mind to.

I appreciate my pastor Jason Lang because he always makes time for me. I know that I can talk to him about anything. I love how he is a man of God, and a wonderful leader.

His dedication to the Lord and community. It’s a small church. Yet without fail for about 40 yrs now he was called by the Lord to preach and that he does. I and many other have learned the Bible, the Word and what real Love is through Pastor David Cross.

He’s brought me closer to Jesus after the loss of my Wife

My husband, Paul, and I appreciate Pastor David Sorn of Renovation Church, Blaine, MN, for his leadership in studying the scriptures, relating the historical times to today’s times, his relevant examples, and that added bit of humor while teaching. We have grown in our faith, have excitedly joined a House Church for the 2nd year (80% of our church is also in a House Church), and have volunteered as we are able. Thank you, Pastor David, for your leadership and wisdom.