Our Pastor
Our called Pastor and Teacher is Joshua W. Rau, he has served in Ministry for over 25 years as a music director and Pastor.
Joshua grew up in northern WI right on Lake Superior. He spent his time either in church or in the music room at school. He has been a musician since the 6th grade. He was very active in all aspects of music growing up, he was in orchestra, choir, band, show choir, theater. He was principal bass for the Duluth Superior Youth Orchestra, his high school orchestra and after graduation he served as principle bass for Dakota Valley Symphony in Burnsville MN. He was in several choirs in jr. and sr. high school as well as the church choir. He continued his music after graduation when he started directing church choirs which he did for almost 25 years. He has sung semi-professional with the Fargo-Moorhead Master Choral in Fargo, ND and with the Lexington Choral Society in Lexington, NC.
Joshua has a strong knowledge and passion for the music and liturgy of the church. He believes in the liturgical style of worship and feels that it brings so much meaning to our worship time and life.
Joshua obtained his EMT certification in 2004 and has been active on both full time and volunteer service ever since. He also served as a volunteer fire fighter as well as in Law Enforcement for about 4 years, in addition to his EMS work.
In his years in church music ministry, Joshua always felt a call to lead, not knowing that one day it would lead him to the pulpit. He was asked several times to fill in on a Sunday and it just really continued to weigh on his heart and when Joshua was given the opportunity to look at Synodically Authorized Minister within the ELCA, he felt that it was time to answer the call. Joshua has a passion for the church, for serving others and for proclaiming the word of God. He is a Licensed Pastor with the UCC and is seeking full ordination within the church.
Joshua’s family consist of his wife Alyssa, together they have a blended family of 6 children and 2 grandkids. Alyssa has 3 boys, and Joshua has three girls,
Pastor Josh said “God has lead me to serve his church and called me to serve here”