The prayer of the Lutheran Pastor:
“O Lord God, dear Father in heaven. I am indeed, unworthy of the office and ministry in which I am to make known Thy glory and to nurture and to serve this congregation. But since Thou hast appointed me to be a pastor and teacher, and the people are in need of the teachings and the instructions, O be Thou my helper and let Thy holy angels attend me. Then if Thou art pleased to accomplish anything through me, to Thy glory and not to mine or to the praise of men, grant me, out of Thy pure grace and mercy a right understanding of Thy Word and that I may also diligently perform it. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Thou Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, send Thy Holy Spirit that He may work with me, yea, that He may work in me to do through Thy divine strength according to Thy good pleasure. Amen."
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Rev. Joseph Fisher, Senior Pastor
Phone: (262)-305-1663 Email: revjfisher@charter.net
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University in River Forest, IL and my Masters of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN in 1994. Since graduation from the Seminary, I have served as a parish pastor at Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church, being called as Senior Pastor 1997.
During this time, I have had opportunities defended the Christian faith in radio debates and public presentations. Working with Lutheran’s for Life Wisconsin serving as a Pastoral advisor for six years. I have had articles published in The Lutheran Witness, and the Lutheran Clarion. I have been a presenter at Higher Things National Youth Gatherings and State gatherings, as well as Wisconsin Lutheran’s for Life state conventions.
The Lord has blessed me to serve the South Wisconsin District on the Communication Task Force, as Pastoral Delegate to the Synod Convention twice, as Circuit Visitor, and a Chairman of District floor committee.
In the Community I worked with local representatives and district pastors to get a Communion Wine law passed allowing pastors the right to bring communion into State Prisons and County Jails in Wisconsin. At present, I am also serving as an Adjunct Theology Professor at Concordia University Wisconsin, having taught at both the main campus and at satellite campuses.
On a personal note, in 1991, the Lord blessed me with my loving wife Christine and we have been further blessed with two daughters, Elizabeth (Son-in-law: Austin Meier and Grandson: Edmund) and Rebecca.
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Rev. Christopher Raffa, Associate Pastor
Phone: (262)-339-6862 Email: revcraffa@gmail.com
Pastor Raffa was ordained at Pilgrim in August 2007 upon graduation from the Master of Divinity program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. His undergraduate degree was earned at Concordia University Portland, Oregon. He is a proud bibliophile who daily devotes himself to the study of Holy Scripture and its pastoral application to the life of his flock.
Pastor Raffa is dedicated to the vocations of a catechumen of God’s Word, husband to Julie, and father to Rachel, Matthias, Emma, and undershepherd to God’s people at Pilgrim. He lives out these vocations he has been given in a state of prayer (oratio), meditation (meditation), and affliction (tentatio). His life as a pastor is confirmed and driven by prayer, meditation, and affliction by which he strives ardently to be faithful to them.
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Rev. David R. Meyer
Pastor Emeritus: July 1997 - December 2006
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Rev. Timm L. Griffin
Senior Pastor: August 3, 1986 - January 7, 1996
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Rev. Bryan T. O'Connor
Vicar: March 3,1990 - March 2, 1991
Associate Pastor: March 2, 1991 - October 18, 1992
Bryan O’Connor was installed as Pilgrim's Vicar in March 1990. Upon his ordination the following year, he was called as Pilgrim's Associate Pastor to serve as the primary source of pastoral care for the new daughter-congregation, St. Andrews Lutheran in West Bend. He was installed as St. Andrews full-time Pastor on October 18, 1992.
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Rev. Herbert Reis
Vacancy Pastor: June 1986 - August 1986
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Rev. John Stephan
Pastor: September 1, 1968 - June 30, 1986
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Rev. Arthur Senn
Vacancy Pastor: September 1967 - September 1968
Rev. Senn served as Pilgrim's Pastor for the year following Pastor Albers departure. He assisted and guided the Call Committee in their faithful search and calling of a new full-time Pastor. He remained a friend of the congregation and their Pastors until his death on October 7, 2019.
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Rev. Ronald Albers
Pastor: September 22, 1963 - September 17, 1967
Rev. Albers accepted the call to serve as Pilgrim's second full-time Pastor. During his time at Pilgrim, he installed the now beloved Eternal Light in the sanctuary.
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Rev. Arthur Haupt
Vacancy Pastor: June 1963 - September 1963
Rev. Haupt, Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Fane, briefly served Pilgrim during the vacancy between Pastor Natzke and Pastor Albers.
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Rev. Paul Natzke
Pastor: May 6, 1956 - June 1963
Rev. Natzke served as Pilgrim's first full time Pastor. The seven years he spent with Pilgrim were very active. He led services at Pilgrim's "Storefront Chapel," and at the Fair Park School location. He assisted the Building Committee, laid the cornerstone, and led the Dedication Services for the permanent home of Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church on Meadowbrook Drive. Beginning in 1960, his family lived in Pilgrim's newly completed parsonage until he was call to start a new congregation, Peace Lutheran Church, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
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Rev. Edgar Engelking
Pastor: November 1954 - May 6, 1956
Rev. Engelking, Pastor of Immanuel Town Scott, served as Pilgrim's second Pastor until they were able to call a full-time Pastor in Residence.
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Rev. Elmer Zanow
Pastor: May 1953 - November 1956
Rev. Zanow, Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in New Fane, provided guidance to the charter members of Pilgrim and continued to serve them as Pastor for the first three years.
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