Pastor Jeff Milsten is married to Shannon and they have three children: Keegan, Rebecca, and Alex. Family is great! Pastor Jeff grew up in Tacoma, WA; went to the University of Virginia, taught World History and Sociology in Walkersville MD to pay for Seminary; attended Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. His pastoral experience is listed below.Shannon is an elementary teacher who loves raising our children at this time. Pastor Jeff is called to pastoral ministry. He likes the huge variety of ministry and being able to interact with so many people of all ages. He enjoys teaching all ages, worship planning and leadership, sermons (a constantly growing experience for the pastor too), visitation, pre-marital counseling, the privilege of being present for people through grief and crisis ministry, youth ministry, and so much more! Being a pastor is my calling, my vocation, and my joy.

 

PASTORAL EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

1990-1991 Internship at Grace Lutheran in State College, Pa. I wanted to and did experience a large congregation for the first time. This experience included teaching many adult classes, working with the youth and leading a number of programs, and the general ministry of the church.

1991-1992 Fourth Year Seminary Pastorate, I served Sundays for a congregation in Harper’s Ferry, W.Va. that yearly selected a seminary student to serve as their pastor.

1992-1993 Chaplain at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, CT. This was a nine month CPE at an acute care hospital that Yale also used as a teaching hospital.

​1993-1996 Associate Pastor at Saint James Lutheran in Concord, NC. I decided to first be an associate so I could better prepare my materials while leading confirmation, youth ministry, adult education opportunities, and informal worship. Also, while there I prepared an extensive Pre-Marriage program, Abuse Prevention program, and a one year chronological/thematic Bible read-through along with introductions for each book of the Bible. Additionally I served as area Lutheran Association president for one year and set up and led eight Lutheran Church Youth Group (combining historically black and white churches) that met every other month.

1996-2002 Co-Pastor at Clearwater Lutheran Parish in Orofino, ID. I primarily covered the Orofino and Kamiah Lutheran while other pastors served the other churches. In Orofino I co-led a Catholic-Lutheran-Methodist youth group, restarted and led the local ministerial association, helped organize then served as one of the chaplains at the local 18-bed hospital, and generally served the congregation. In Kamiah I began a weekly Bible Study that continues today and generally served the congregation. My leaving after five years made the third longest serving pastor for Orofino (most serve two or three years) and was needed to be closer to medical facilities for my son (who is now fine). I also was appointed by Bishop Keller to the Synod Council for a year and then become chair of the Candidacy committee for approximately three years.

2002-2007 Pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Longview, WA. Did extensive home visitation, led adult classes, re-started and led youth groups, officiated at ten or more funerals a year, did extensive hospital/hospice/crisis ministry, tried to help the congregation focus on what is present and going forward, tried to lead a prayer renewal, and general pastoral ministry.

2007-2008 Teaching New Testament and other classes at Three Rivers Christian School. Also put together a workshop/book on “God’s Involvement in Our Lives Today”.

2008-Onward Pastor with Saint James Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls, N.Y.