Pastors & Staff
About Pastor Elise Rothfusz
Growing up with a father in the Air Force meant that my family moved quite a few times in my childhood. One of the constancies throughout these moves was the Church. My parents always made sure we connected with a congregation. Through this I learned that wherever we went, God was with us there too.
It is probably no surprise then that God used those churches and the people in them to draw me closer and call me into ministry. As a youth I was active in my church youth group in Tucson, Arizona, and in my sophomore year of high school I was asked to attend a Lutheran Church Women convention. It was there that I first saw a woman pastor, and God planted the seed of my calling. It would take many years to yet mature, but the seed was there.
Because of my desire to attend a small college with a good music program I attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a major in Religion, and minors in music and classical studies. My summers were spent as a church camp counselor in Arizona and Wisconsin.
Following college I moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to attend Luther Seminary where I eventually met my wonderful husband, John. Following our graduation God called us to Illinois, where I served St. John Lutheran Church in Bluff Springs (near Beardstown) for six years. I then spent three and a half years at home with my three children, during which time we moved to Washington, Illinois for my husband to take a new call at Faith Lutheran Church. I served Eureka Presbyterian Church as an interim pastor for two years until being called to Salem in May 2009.
One of my favorite parts of being a pastor is hearing your stories of where God is working in your life, and how God’s Word helps you to connect with God. So please, share your stories with me!
Outside of ministry activities I enjoy reading, singing, crafts and most of all spending time with family.
I give God thanks for the community we have together in the Salem family, and for all the opportunities we have to share Christ with one another and the world.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Elise Eklund Rothfusz
