Pastor
Rev. David Suelzle
David K. Suelzle was born and raised in Minot, ND. He is the youngest and only son of six children in his family. On April 2, 1977 he married Ronda Selfors, his high school sweetheart. He attended Concordia College in St. Paul, MN and graduated in 1978. While attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO he also served his vicarge at St. John Lutheran Church in Cadott, WI and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Boyd, WI. Graduating in 1982 he was ordained into the Pastoral Ministry at his home church—St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.
While serving Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, NE David & Ronda were blessed with the birth of two sons, Michael and Daniel. Currently Michael is serving as pastor St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Niagara, ND, Grace Lutheran Church in Lakota, ND and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Devil's Lake,ND. Daniel is serving as pastor of Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel on the campus of the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. Pastor Suelzle served Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, NE from 1982-86.
Pastor Suelzle served St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hazen, ND from 1986-2008, along with St. James Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, ND from 1998-2008. In 2008, he accepted a divine call to Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND where he serves today. In 2012, Pastor Suelzle celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination. He has been involved extensively in the ND District youth ministry along with various LWML positions. He enjoys music and riding bike. Pastor & Ronda are blessed with seven grandchildren!
While serving Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, NE David & Ronda were blessed with the birth of two sons, Michael and Daniel. Currently Michael is serving as pastor St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Niagara, ND, Grace Lutheran Church in Lakota, ND and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Devil's Lake,ND. Daniel is serving as pastor of Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel on the campus of the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. Pastor Suelzle served Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, NE from 1982-86.
Pastor Suelzle served St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hazen, ND from 1986-2008, along with St. James Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, ND from 1998-2008. In 2008, he accepted a divine call to Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND where he serves today. In 2012, Pastor Suelzle celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination. He has been involved extensively in the ND District youth ministry along with various LWML positions. He enjoys music and riding bike. Pastor & Ronda are blessed with seven grandchildren!
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, where he still works today.
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.
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.
Secretary
