We're very excited and so pleased to announce that the Associate Pastor Call Committee has made a candidate recommendation to our Council, and they have agreed with our top choice! You will have several opportunities to meet and talk with Joel Bergeland during Community hour this coming week, in, and after worship. You will see Joel a lot over the coming couple of weeks leading up to the congregational meeting and vote on October 9, so please take the time to introduce yourself! We know you'll find Joel to be a faithful and talented pastor who we believe is a great fit for Mount Olivet!

Joel will be at Mount Olivet:

Sunday, 9/25 in both worship services. Come to MOtalk at 10am for a Q&A and longer introduction.
Wednesday, 9/28 in worship, and will be around for a longer introduction at 7pm.

Update:
A congregational meeting and vote is scheduled for Sunday, October 9 at 12pm in the Mount Olivet worship center. Must be a Mount Olivet member to vote - see eligibility requirements on the website:

Update: Joel has been calle dto Mount Olivet as our new Associate Pastor!

Joel provided an introduction below:

Hello, Mount Olivet! My name is Joel Bergeland, and I'm very excited to meet you. Here's a quick sketch of my life so far:I grew up in Minnetonka, graduated from Hopkins High School, and went on to St. Olaf College. After graduating in 2008 with majors in Religion and Political Science, I worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools for three years serving students and families in under-resourced schools to help them get ready for college. I left my job to start seminary at Yale Divinity School, where I did my field work in congregations in New Haven, CT, and New York City. My yearlong church internship in 2014-15 took me to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, CA, where I enjoyed learning to be a pastor while living five blocks from the beach! Since last October, I've worked supporting adults with disabilities in a group home while waiting for my first call. When I'm not at work, I enjoy riding my bike, gardening, brewing beer, and solving crossword puzzles. I can't wait to jump in to the work God has been doing in and through you as your associate pastor.