MEET OUR PASTOR
Rev. Brian Thorson accepted the call to be Bethlehem's full-time pastor and was installed on Sunday, May 26th, 2024.
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Pictured left to right: Rev. Matthew Rusert, Rev. Aaron Beckman, Rev. David Buchs, Rev. Tyler LaGrave, Rev. Mike Holmen,
Rev. Leland Bendix, Rev. Brian Thorson, Rev. David Mumme, Rev. Joshua Arndt, Rev. Henry Koopman, Rev. Michael Grannis,
Rev. Mark Loder, Rev. Thomas Queck, Rev. David Kind, Rev. David Taylor
Pastor Thorson grew up attending St. James Lutheran School in Howard Lake and Howard Lake-Waverly High School. After graduation, he furthered his education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Rev. Thorson went on to complete his seminary education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A 2005 seminary graduate, his first placement was as a dual parish pastor for Zion and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Lewisville, Minnesota. He later served another Minnesota parish in Ormsby before being called to Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington, Missouri, where he faithfully served for nearly eight years before coming to Bethlehem.
Thorson has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 9 years. They have one son, James.
Aside from serving others with God's Word and Sacraments and being involved in various activities throughout his community, Pastor Thorson can be found spending time with his family, enjoying the outdoors, and making and fixing things.