 Co-Pastor Steven Wilkens
Steve grew up on a dairy farm just east of West Bend, Wisconsin. At the age of 13 he attended Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown, Wisconsin. He then attended college at Northwestern College, also in Watertown. Following graduation he attend the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wi from which he graduated in May 1983.
Steve married Karen Klemke in July 1981 shortly before Steve's vicar year at Martin Luther Ev. Lutheran Church in Neenah, Wisconsin.
After graduation in May of 1983, Steve was assigned to do exploratory mission work in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Exploratory means you arrive in this location and meet with a small nucleus of people interested in helping start a church if you're so blessed.
After a number of years, with the blessings of a graciious God, the congregation now known as Peace Lutheran Church was able to build a church and then expand again three years later.
After 13 years of ministry in New Mexico the Lord led Steve to accept the call to serve as pastor here at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. His ministry at Bethany began shortly before Christmas 1996.
Steve has served on the synod's committee on Evangelism. He was Mission Board Chairman and Circuit Pastor and Conference Chairman when he left New Mexico. He now serves on the Mission Board for the Western Wisconsin District.
Steve and his wife have three grown children, Rachel, Tim and Amy, and one grandchild.
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