Pastor
Rev. Michael Suelzle
Rev. Michael Suelzle grew up in Hazen, ND. After high school he joined the Army National Guard. He started NDSU for computer engineering but was encouraged to become a Pastor. So he finished college at Concordia University - St. Paul studying Lutheran Confessions and Biblical Languages. While there, he and Beth were joined in marriage.
Pastor Suelzle attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis where he served a fieldwork congregation in Weldon Spring, MO and Beth taught public elementary school in Overland, MO. For vicarage, he served youth and families at St. Peter’s in Schaumburg, IL while Beth taught at the church’s parochial school and became a mother at the birth of Joshua. He graduated from seminary in 2010.
Pastor Suelzle has served the Office of the Holy Ministry in Christ’s Church in many ways over the years. He was Ordained at Grace Lutheran Church in Pocatello, ID to be the Pastor of families and school outreach. Eliora and Sophia were born into the family there. He was the sole Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in the urban setting of Portland, OR. Before accepting the call to Grace, Fargo, he served a tri-point parish of St. Peter’s – Devils Lake, Grace – Lakota, and St. Andrew – Niagara in North Dakota. In each place the Lord has blessed him and his family with wonderful communities, friends, and ministry.
Pastor Suelzle attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis where he served a fieldwork congregation in Weldon Spring, MO and Beth taught public elementary school in Overland, MO. For vicarage, he served youth and families at St. Peter’s in Schaumburg, IL while Beth taught at the church’s parochial school and became a mother at the birth of Joshua. He graduated from seminary in 2010.
Pastor Suelzle has served the Office of the Holy Ministry in Christ’s Church in many ways over the years. He was Ordained at Grace Lutheran Church in Pocatello, ID to be the Pastor of families and school outreach. Eliora and Sophia were born into the family there. He was the sole Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in the urban setting of Portland, OR. Before accepting the call to Grace, Fargo, he served a tri-point parish of St. Peter’s – Devils Lake, Grace – Lakota, and St. Andrew – Niagara in North Dakota. In each place the Lord has blessed him and his family with wonderful communities, friends, and ministry.
Director of Church Ministries
Jon Smelser
Jon Smelser was born in 1987 to Rev. Todd and Sue Smelser in Storm Lake, IA. Being the son of a pastor, Jon moved with his family to several congregations, including St. John Lutheran Church in Galva, IA, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dickinson, ND, and Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. After high school, Jon attempted a degree in music performance, specializing in percussion, but did not feel drawn to that field. He then dropped out of school to begin working full-time. He married Megan Nitschke in 2008 and they have two children together. To support his family, Jon started working for a major software company in their operations department until 2024. Currently, he is a full-time Financial Aid Administrator for North Dakota State University.
In 2017, just after his son was born, he enrolled at Concordia University Wisconsin to earn a Bachelors of Arts in theology and a certification as a Director of Church Ministries in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from CUW in 2021 and received a call from his home congregation in Fargo to serve as the Director of Church Ministries.
To reach DCM Jon, please call (701) 261 - 0806.
In 2017, just after his son was born, he enrolled at Concordia University Wisconsin to earn a Bachelors of Arts in theology and a certification as a Director of Church Ministries in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from CUW in 2021 and received a call from his home congregation in Fargo to serve as the Director of Church Ministries.
To reach DCM Jon, please call (701) 261 - 0806.
Secretary
