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Trinity Lutheran’s new pastor settles into life in Pullman
Chris Hogstad says the church’s welcoming spirit and commitment to community drew him to the Palouse.
By Megan Guido | FāVS News Reporter
Main Points
PULLMAN, Washington – Life is busy for Trinity Lutheran Church’s new pastor, the Rev. Chris Hogstad, but he’s happy to be in Pullman.
“This place has always had a pull on me,” Hogstad said.
He started as the settled pastor at Trinity in March when he moved from Washougal, Washington, where he was the minister of Zion Lutheran Church in Camas, Washington. He is anxious to have his wife Megan and his son and daughter join him in Pullman. His son is graduating from high school in June.
Bridging campus and community
Megan, is a para educator who hopes to be able to teach preschool here. She, herself, is a third generation Washington State University graduate.
“My in-laws have been athletic season ticket holders for 25 years, and I’ve been coming over with them for years,” Hogstad said. “I’ve loved it since I first came here. It reminds me of my father’s small town in Minnesota where he grew up.”
Hogstad recognizes the uniqueness of Pullman and embraces its diversity as a college town. One of his goals as the new minister is to integrate the campus and students with the rest of Pullman.
He’s pleased with the congregation’s “willingness to walk along with people as they find their place” in Pullman. He cites recent families who have joined Trinity who felt an “authentic” welcome.
Deb Nelson was the head of the ministerial call committee for the new pastor. She and her husband have been members of Trinity Lutheran for 35 years and their two adult daughters were baptized and confirmed there.
She said in addition to being a good fit for the administrative tasks required of a minister, Hogstad works hard to get to know his congregation, participate in church activities and the middle school and high school youth connect with him.
“He continues to stress with us wanting to ‘meet people where they are’, whether that be where someone is on their faith journey or physically where they are at.”
Growing against the trend
Despite a trend of mainline churches losing members, Trinity Lutheran has been slowly growing over the last few years, with 10 new members joining. They average about 80 worshipers on Sundays, Hogstad said.
“Mainline churches are not going for the pithy headlines,” he said. “We’re in it for the long haul.”
He cites Lutheran Disaster Response, the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that provides short- and long-term relief to communities disrupted by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
“They are still there and were there for more than 10 years with Hurricane Katrina,” he said.
Hogstad is encouraged by what he sees from Trinity’s congregation. His philosophy of ministry is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to encourage members to be known and affirmed.
Too often churches have said one thing and done another, which has led to mistrust, he said.
“People are looking for an authentic community,” Hogstad said. “To go through the muck of life together.”
Trinity Lutheran Church services are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and starting on June 14 at 9 a.m. Their address is 1300 NE Lybecker Rd. in Pullman.
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