Concordia U to install new campus pastor
Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), will install the Rev. Tom Gundermann as its new CSP pastor during an installation ceremony at the Graebner Memorial Chapel on October 4 at 10:30 a.m. Gundermann comes to Concordia from Rochester, New York, where he has been the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church since 2010.
The Rev. Tom Gundermann
“Pastor Gundermann’s passion for cross-cultural ministry in an urban setting will be a great fit for Concordia University.”
“I am thrilled to accept the call to serve as CSP pastor as so many of my mentors in ministry have served through Concordia in one way or another,” Gundermann said. “I am thankful to God for the opportunity to be a part of a diverse and dynamic faculty and staff.”
A graduate of Valparaiso University, Gundermann previously served in the Twin Cities as pastor of Trinity First Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and Peace Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He was also the first CSP ministry intern prior to enrolling at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
“Pastor Gundermann’s passion for cross-cultural ministry in an urban setting will be a great fit for Concordia University,” Concordia President Tom Ries said. “In addition he has had a longstanding love affair with Concordia, and we are excited to welcome him back.”
“My parents are active alumni of Concordia, so I grew up walking the halls,” Gundermann explained. “My dad was pastor of Beautiful Savior, now in Plymouth, from 1972 to 1991.
The school is home to me.”
An unexpected homecoming
Born and raised in Minnesota, Gundermann is married with three children. He and his wife Amy, an alumna of Concordia University, St. Paul, are parents to Kayla (12), Noah (10), and Eva (7). According to Gundermann, Amy has been living in a dorm at Concordia with the kids, who started the school year at Central Lutheran School in St. Paul.
“We didn’t anticipate this call,” Gundermann told Metro Lutheran. “We planted apple trees just six weeks ago. … But, Concordia is very dear to me, and we were led to accept the call.”
Primary responsibilities for the CSP pastor, according to Gundermann, will include overseeing daily chapel and coordinating relational ministry, including small group Bible study and servant projects. He also will develop strategies to reach non-traditional and online students.
Gundermann will replace Rich Carter, who has served as interim CSP pastor for more than one year.
A reception will follow the installation service in the Cross of Christ Fellowship Center.
Tags: Amy Gundermann, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Plymouth, Bob Hulteen, Central Lutheran School, Concordia Seminary, Concordia University St. Paul, Cross of Christ Fellowship Center, CSP, Faith Lutheran Church Rochester New York, Graebner Memorial Chapel, Peace Lutheran Church Robbinsdale, President Tom Ries, Rev. Tom Gundermann, Rich Carter, Tom Gundermann, Tom Ries, Trinity First Lutheran Church, Valparaiso University
