CONTACT INFORMATION
Senior Pastor at Saint John’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) – Portage, Wisconsin
Office: (608) 742-9000 ext 129
email: greg@pastorhovland.com
Mission: Organizing and Leading Christians to Advance the Kingdom of God Through Active Discipleship in Their Daily Lives
CliftonStrengths: Discipline | Achiever | Focus | Consistency | Harmony | Learner | Relator | Competition
Values: Daily Discipleship, Wisdom, Organization, an Equipped Energized People of God, Hard Work, Stewardship of Time
Biography: Pastor Greg Hovland is a native of the Minnesota/Wisconsin area. He was born in Ashland, Wisconsin on December 29, 1970, and spent his childhood in Duluth, Minnesota; Kasson, Minnesota; and Onalaska, Wisconsin. After graduating from Onalaska High School in 1989, he attended Concordia University Mequon, Wisconsin. He graduated in May 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in theological languages with a minor in theology. Greg went directly to Concordia Seminary, St Louis, and spent his vicarage year (internship) at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles, Michigan. Graduating a semester early, he holds a Master of Divinity.
On April 6, 1997, Greg was ordained and installed as pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amboy, Minnesota and St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Vernon Center, Minnesota. On March 10, 2002, he was installed as the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in La Crescent, Minnesota. Greg was installed as Associate Pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 25, 2009. He was installed at Senior Pastor of Saint John’s Lutheran Ministries on August 16, 2015. He also currently serves as a Circuit Visitor for the Madison North Circuit of the South Wisconsin District. He is also on the Board of Directors for Lead A Child, a recognized service organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Greg and his wife, Stephenie, met in high school while attending a circuit youth group event. During their high school years, they became friends as they spent time working together in Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ – a youth witnessing organization of the LCMS. In college, they began dating and were married on June 6, 1992. Greg and Stephenie have two daughters: Elisebeth and Katherine. Both are married.
Greg has served as Circuit Counselor for the Mankato Circuit (Minnesota South) and the Winona Circuit (Minnesota South) as a voting delegate for the LCMS synodical convention in Houston, Texas (2007). He has completed Mission Planters Institute, Pastoral Leadership Institute, and Doxology training. While serving in La Crescent, Greg served as administrator of Hope Lutheran High School (Winona, MN), a newly started high school at the time. While in Green Bay, he served on the Green Bay Lutheran School Association Board of Directors that oversaw Green Bay Trinity Lutheran School. He was the chairman of the Administration & Constitutional Matters floor committee for the 2022 South Wisconsin District Convention. Greg is currently working toward a Master of Business Administration degree at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Greg has served on two fire departments during his ministry as a way to be involved in the community: Vernon Center Volunteer Fire Department and La Crescent Fire Department. While serving on the two departments he held a variety of positions: firefighter, first responder, training officer, assistant chief, chief, and chaplain. He holds training in Pastoral Crisis Intervention, Individual and Group Crisis Intervention.
Greg enjoys fishing and camping. He attempts to golf from time to time. He is a licensed amateur radio operator and is active in local storm spotting. His amateur radio call sign is W9IKU.
Stephenie has a Bachelor of Arts in Lutheran Education with a minor in music. She has taught an a multitude of Lutheran schools and grades. She is currently in the Online Deaconess Program at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis and actively working on her writing and speaking career, having published several items including curriculum, devotionals, and books. Stephenie has served on the national board of directors for Lutherans for Life.
Lutheran Education is held in high esteem by the family.
Soli Deo Gloria
