Both Diana and I were raised on small farms in southwest Minnesota near Butterfield (between Mankato and Worthington – home of the world-famous Threshing Bee).  We grew up in the same country Lutheran church, and our parents are close friends.  We have been married for 37 years and have two sons, Isaac and Lee.  Isaac is married to Paula and they have two children, Magnus and Amelia.  Both sons live in the metro area and we are blessed to see them often (and of course our two beloved grandchildren).  We both graduated from Iowa State University after having farmed for 13 years, and then moved to Belmont, Massachusetts so I could attend Harvard Law School.  After graduating in 1992, I began practicing law in the Cargill Law Department located in the corporate offices in Wayzata.  We moved to Eden Prairie and then to Minnetonka where we’ve lived since 2000.  I experienced a call to become a pastor in August, 2002, and began studies at Luther Seminary in February, 2003, while continuing to practice law at Cargill.  I was called to St. John’s Lutheran in Shakopee in December, 2007 where I served as senior pastor until my call to St. James.  I am grateful to God for the variety of work I’ve been called to enjoy throughout my life, and especially love serving God as a pastor.  I will begin work at St. James on July 21, and will be installed at the 9:30 am worship on August 10.  Thank you for calling me to serve our Lord with you as your senior pastor at St. James!