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Greetings! My name is Jacob Burkman and I will begin my service as Interim Associate Pastor at Faith Lutheran on October 26, 2025. This will be my fifth interim position. As we like saying in the interim world, the process of interim will take how long it takes–we want to do it right, not fast! I’ll spend more time expanding on the interim process at a later time, but, for now, a little introduction of myself. 

 

I grew up in Park Rapids, MN, as the only child of two teachers. After graduating from St. Olaf College in 2002 with a B.A. in Theatre and Mathematics, I began a teaching career: student teaching in Hong Kong and teaching high school math in Adrian, MN.

 

I moved to Honolulu in 2004 to begin the Ph.D. program in Mathematics at the University of Hawaii; I completed a M.A. instead because I discerned a call to seminary. I returned to Minnesota to attend Luther Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 2011. Following seminary, I spent a year residency as a hospital chaplain in Yuma, AZ, and my first call was at Hope Lutheran Church in Riverside, CA. I was ordained on 3/14/2013 (extra points for those who see the mathematics connection) at my internship congregation, Zion Lutheran Church in rural Pelican Rapids, MN. I was at Hope Lutheran for a little over three years, and then served at First Lutheran Church in Pine River, MN, for six years.

 

My wife, Sarah, and I got married in May 2022 and moved to the metro area. Sarah is an infectious disease doctor at the University of Minnesota. Since January of 2023, after spending some time on-leave from call, I began doing intentional interim ministry, serving rural congregations in Sandstone, Braham, and Mora, MN.

 

A bible passage that I find becoming ever more fitting to my ministry (especially interim ministry) is Exodus 18.

 

When I’m not doing churchy stuff, I get dragged around by our 19-month old daughter, Hannah, and our 18-month old Goldendoodle, Alma. I also have a passion for cooking when there is time and energy for it.

 

I look forward to walking in this time of transition together!

– Pastor Jacob