Pastor Seth has been serving as the pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church since September 2024. Prior to that he was the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan, MT. He was born in Minnesota, grew up in Decorah, Iowa, and received his bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University. It was there that he met his lovely wife, Jennifer. They were married in 2008 and lived in Valparaiso together for two years before moving on to Wartburg Seminary, in 2010 which is located in Dubuque, Iowa. They lived and studied there for two years and in the fall of 2012 moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where Seth served as the intern for Trinity Lutheran Church and campus ministry for one year. The next year, he finished seminary back in Dubuque before they moved to Ronan for Seth to take the call to be the pastor of Faith Lutheran. Jen works as a nurse at Logan Health - Whitefish and Logan Health - Kalispell. They have two children, Otto and Freja. In addition to his role in the church, Pastor Seth likes to hike, snowboard, fish, bike, hunt, play music, and write. He recently published a book titled, The Church Unknown, which offers his perspective of what young adults (Millennials) are seeking from the church, how to think about changes in the church across generations, and what current shifts in the world around the church may mean for its future.

Originally from South Dakota, I moved to the Glacier area in 2011 to work for Glacier National Park and quickly fell in love with the beauty, community, and endless opportunities for adventure that Northwest Montana has to offer.

I  have a passion for the outdoors and enjoy taking advantage of everything Montana has to offer, including alpine and cross country skiing, rafting, hiking, biking and camping. I also have a lifelong love of music and enjoy listening to, sharing, and experiencing all kinds of music whenever I can. My greatest joy is spending time with my husband and two boys, who keep me busy, active, and constantly on my toes!

I am grateful to be part of this church community and look forward to continuing to serve and grow alongside its members.

Bio Coming Soon ...

Sandra McCracken joined our church music staff in 2010. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church with many opportunities for singing and playing!

Sandi received her Bachelors of Music Education from Montana State University. Retired from teaching music in public schools, she enjoys creating opportunities for people of all ages to worship and praise God through making music. She has a firm belief that God is calling her to serve Him joyfully.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”  George Bernard Shaw

Erika started working in the church office in the spring of 2021.

Her comfort level with bulletin-folding, table-rearranging, hymn-humming, and batch coffee-making was refined at a young age being raised as the daughter of a Lutheran pastor and Lutheran school teacher. She appreciates being paid for these skills as an adult. When not in the church office, she spends most of her time attempting to keep up with the energy, questions, wits and appetites of her two elementary-aged boys. 

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Gardening, cross country skiing, sauna, and being amongst the pines are her activities of choice as time allows. 

President: Renn Fairchild-Sullivan

Vice-President: Tad Wehunt

Treasurer: Laura Mills Nelson

Secretary: Beth Windauer

Pastor: Seth Nelson

At-Large Members

Tara Young
Elizabeth Nauertz
Jim Leiter
Christie Deck