The Rev. Nate Gauerke Called as Associate to the Bishop, Director for Transitions

The Rev. Nate Gauerke

Dear people of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin,

It is my delight to announce that the Rev. Nate Gauerke has accepted a call to serve as Associate to the Bishop, Director for Transitions for the East Central Synod of Wisconsin.

This role accompanies congregations, ministry contexts, rostered leaders, and other leaders through seasons of leadership transition and focuses on mobility and interim ministry as an opportunity for developing and equipping healthy leaders. In all aspects of ministry, the Associate to the Bishop witnesses to the Gospel and embodies God’s liberating mission for the church in the world.

Reflecting on his call to this position, Pastor Nate shared, “Truly, I have been wrestling with God, while discerning what’s next. As I read about this position a spark ignited in my spirit. To walk alongside congregations in transition and to help rostered ministers find a match in ministry is where God is calling me.”

Pastor Nate is a gifted leader who fosters authentic community wherever he goes through a commitment to deep listening and a joy-filled presence. A geologist and cartographer, Pastor Nate has a passion for mapping new directions with people to follow Christ in service to one another and the world God made. With gifts in collegiality, nurturing community, strategic mission planning, recruiting and equipping leaders, interpersonal leadership, and administration, Pastor Nate enlivens the mission of Jesus everywhere he serves.

With deep roots in this synod, Pastor Nate will be a familiar face and name to many. Growing up in Waupaca, Pastor Nate is a child of Trinity Lutheran Church where his dad, the Rev. Eugene Gauerke, served as pastor from 1971-1996. With calls in diverse ministry contexts and roles, his wealth of experience will be a blessing to both rostered ministers and congregations alike. As Pastor Nate steps into this call, he bids farewell to a congregation he has loved, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Combined Locks, where he has served as Lead Pastor since 2015. Prior to ministry with Christ the King, Pastor Nate served Hope Lutheran Church in Wautoma from 2003-2015 and Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton as Associate pastor from 1999-2003.

Pastor Nate has served as a member of synod council and was elected to serve a four year term as secretary in 2022. As Associate to the Bishop, Director for Transitions, Pastor Nate follows Pastor Asher O’Callaghan who departs this role to seek a call near his spouse, Pastor Leslie O’Callaghan, who has been called to Wartburg Seminary as the new Director of Community Life and Candidacy.

A graduate of The University of Wisconsin, La Crosse and Wartburg Theological Seminary, Pastor Nate is spouse to Sara and dad to Esther and Aryn, both in college.

His work with the synod will begin August 18th.

Let us pray:

God of thin spaces, in-between times, and the holy ground of transitions: we give thanks for your Holy Spirit’s creative and tumultuous work in our lives, in our synod, and in the whole church. Grant Pastor Nate good endings and beginnings. Prepare us to joyfully welcome him as Director for Transitions and surround him with peace in this season of change. Through this new calling, connect, sustain, and transform us in new ways, for the sake of the Gospel. This we pray in the name of Christ. Amen!

Gratefully,

Bishop Anne Edison-Albright
East Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA

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