Our Slovak Zion Synod family rejoices with our congregation, Dr. Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muskegon, Michigan as they mark another new chapter in ministry and mission and welcome their new pastor, the Rev. Katie Jean Johnson. Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church extended a Call to Pastor Katie, and she was installed by Bishop Wilma S. Kucharek on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at the 10:00 am worship service; she joins her spouse, the Rev. Michael Johnson, who has served as pastor of Dr. Martin Luther since 2017.
During her sermon, Bishop Kucharek cited these words which have been especially meaningful to Pastor Katie: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). The Bishop referenced the Sunday readings and mutual commitments being made in the installation that morning and called upon the pastor and congregation: “… to keep teaching the way of Jesus like Peter and the apostles in the book of Acts, … to keep proclaiming Jesus as our Lord and God, like Thomas and the other disciples, … and to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering.”
Pastor Johnson received her BA from Creighton University where she majored in political science and minored in theology. She completed her Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, interning at a 2-point parish in Rutland and Havana, ND. Her first call to a congregation was to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Huron, SD.
Pastor Katie credits her call to pursue study for ordained ministry to Creighton, her theology professors, and their campus ministry program. She recalls that her internship and first call were significant formative experiences, for which she remains grateful.
Regarding her current Call at Dr. Martin Luther and her rostering as a pastor in the Slovak Zion Synod, she says: “I truly feel so very blessed to be here in Slovak Zion Synod and at Dr. Martin Luther.”
We congratulate Pastor Katie and rejoice in this new call to ministry in our Synod, and we join the members of Dr. Martin Luther in celebration as this new chapter of ministry unfolds.
You must be logged in to post a comment.