Messiah Lutheran Church

La Crescent, Minnesota

God connects to us.  We connect to others through fellowship and service.

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Pastor Greg Hovland is a native of the Minnesota/Wisconsin area. He was born in Ashland, Wisconsin on December 29, 1970 and spent his childhood in Duluth, Minnesota; Kasson, Minnesota; and Onalaska, Wisconsin. After graduating from Onalaska High School in 1989, he went to college at Concordia University Mequon, Wisconsin. He graduated in May 1993 with a major in theological languages and a minor in theology. Greg attended Concordia Seminary, St Louis and spent his vicarage year at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles, Michigan.

On April 6, 1997 Greg was ordained and installed as pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amboy, Minnesota and St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Vernon Center, Minnesota. He served as pastor there until he was installed as the sole pastor of Messiah on March 10, 2002.

Greg and his wife, Stephenie, met in high school while attending a circuit youth group event. During their high school years, they became friends as they spent time working together in Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ. In college they began dating and were married on June 6, 1992. Stephenie has a degree in elementary education and music. Greg and Stephenie have two daughters: Elisebeth (age 12) and Katherine (age 9).  Stephenie teaches grades 5-8 at St. Martins Lutheran School, Winona, MN where the girls also attend school.

Greg enjoys fishing and attempts to golf from time to time. He is currently a member of the La Crescent Fire Department. He is a licensed amateur radio operator and is active in local storm spotting.  His amateur radio call sign is KC0IKU.  

The Green Bay Packers is his NFL team of choice.

Check out Pastor Hovland's blog "Justified".