I was born and raised in Western Minnesota in the small town of Herman. My parents still live there. My wife, Verna, and I were married in 2000 and have been blessed with four children.
I love being a pastor and serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the people I get to serve and work with at Mt. Zion. I love being able to remind people of the presence of God in their lives at their most fragile times. I love serving my community. I enjoy meeting new people and, if the Holy Spirit permits, being a positive witness of Christ's love in and for the people of this world.
I love holding on to the promises of God. I admit, it isn't always easy to do. Life has a way of distracting me. But in the end, I get my energy from words like this:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"Rev. 21:5
These are the verses that get me through the day. When my life seems to go south, I try to remember Jeremiah 29; that my life is in the hands of the one who has plans for me.
When I've messed up, I try to remember Revelation 21; that there is always a second chance from the one who died and rose again for me.
Our prayer and desire at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church is that as you worship with us you would recieve with everyone else the hope that Christ gives.
Janet Anderson is our office administrator. Janet and her husband Mark have three grown children: Eric, Jonathan, and Sarah. Janet enjoys gardening, cooking, and entertaining. email janet
Jan Pearson - Music Director
Our Music Director, Jan Pearson, leads Mt. Zion’s Sunday services alternately from the Berghaus Pipe Organ for a traditional worship style, and from the sanctuary's Kawai grand piano for a contemporary sound. She directs the Mt. Zion Choir, the Mt. Zion Bell Choir, and the Mt. Zion Sunday School music program to embrace a blended style of Sunday worship.
Jan studied organ performance and piano pedagogy at the MacPhail Center, University of MN. She holds a B.A. Degree in Social Welfare and has provided music therapy for individuals at various non-profit agencies. For over 25 years, Jan has owned and operated her own piano studio in Big Lake and Roseville, simultaneously served as a church organist/music director, and taught as an elementary school music specialist.
Jan has two children, four grandchildren, loves to travel, and currently resides in Roseville, MN. email jan
Allen Petersen - Building/Property Administrator
Allen joined our staff as Building/Property Administrator in January of 2014. He attended Dunwoody Institute, graduating from the Printing and Graphic Arts program in 1984. After working for 25 years in the printing field, the recession of 2009 caused a job, and soul, searching opportunity. Combining a few job and life experiences, he started a second career as a part-time, Administrative Assistant at another south Minneapolis Lutheran church. When the position became available at Mt. Zion, he felt he had learned just enough of the inner-workings of a church, and also having been a member of Mt. Zion for 15+ years, he decided to also accept the part-time Administrator position.
When Allen's not in the office, he and his wife do what most parents do; drive their three kids to various sporting events, schools and jobs, and just enjoy watching them as they grow up! email allen
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church
5645 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55417 map
