“Hello, I’m Pastor Tom Kreis, and I’m passionate about connecting faith to the messy, beautiful realities of our everyday lives. My sermons attempt to challenge us to embrace a radical, Christ-like love, pushing past societal labels like ‘enemy’ to see the inherent dignity in every person. This conviction is born from many years of life experience and is at the very heart of my ministry.

My journey into pastoring began later in life, a testament to God’s patient calling. For 22 years, Karen and I were rooted at Norway Grove Lutheran Church, a community where our daughter was baptized and confirmed, and where my own faith truly deepened. It was there that I felt compelled to embark in seminary studies, a decision that has been fulfilling. I’m forever grateful to the pastors and congregation of Norway Grove for nurturing that call and shaping the servant I strive to be today.

Karen, my wonderful wife of 32 years, and I live near Orfordville, Wisconsin. We’re incredibly proud of our 28-year-old daughter Katie and her husband, Josh, who, with their dog Luther, call Cedar Falls, Iowa, home.

My path to ministry took a few interesting turns. I started life in Janesville, Wisconsin, and my family moved to Brownsville, Texas. Our family moved back to Wisconsin when I was a junior in High School, and I graduated from Darlington High School. I then went to UW-Platteville and graduated with a degree in Political Science. Before seminary, I spent 17 years in manufacturing at Penda Corporation and then a decade in the insurance industry with American Family. These experiences in the business world gifted me with a unique lens, helping me understand the diverse joys and challenges faced by people from all walks of life.

Ultimately, graduating from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, wasn’t just a degree – it was the culmination of a lifelong journey of faith leading to service. Karen and I love to travel and cherish every moment spent with friends and family, finding joy in connection, much like the connection I strive to build within the church community.”

Pastor Tom begins as Lead Pastor at St John’s in September 2025.

(August 2025)

On February 4, our 5th and 6th grade Bake Sale raised $950. These funds will be sent to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) to help feed those in need by helping purchase chicks, baby pigs and other farm animals for families in need! We will continue collecting funds to help feed others because we are called to care for our neighbors. You can donate directly to LWR or by sending funds to St. John’s. Here is the website for more information community.elca.org/elcagoodgifts.

During the 2021 Lenten season we invited you to join with all of God’s people in revisiting the promises made on your behalf in baptism and renewed in your Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) when you answered the question, “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?”
Our response was and continues to be, “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”
During 2021 Lent we journeyed together as we continued to learn what it means to live into these promises.