Pastor Deb

Pastor Deb Birkeland

I grew up as the oldest of six siblings in a Lutheran family, on a farm in northern Minnesota where faith in Jesus Christ was a big part of our family identity. We went to a small town church where I played the church organ, sang in the choir with my siblings on Christmas Eve and was always involved in church.

I Attended Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and earned a degree in Elementary Education and English where I later served as Regent of the college for 10 years.

My first career was in Education which included earning a special education degree. I taught children with learning disabilities and worked for the State Dept. of Education for students at risk policy development. However, an inner nudge to touch lives and nurture souls for Jesus Christ was always in my heart and mind. Involvement at CtK in social ministry, choir, musicals and education stirred this desire to serve in the church.

I entered Luther Seminary, St. Paul in 1982 to pursue a dream of studying theology. I later finished a degree in pastoral care theology in 1989 while working as a social ministry coordinator for CtK. However, instead of serving in lay staff positions, I returned to Luther seminary to pursue ordination in the ELCA.

I was ordained at Christ the King on Sept. 26, 1992 and was called to serve as an associate Pastor for 7 wonderful years at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview.

After a year sabbatical in 1999, I accepted a part time call to Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City, MN in 2001, staying until I accepted a call to return to Christ the King in 2004, where I assumed my current role as Pastor of Outreach leading adult education, outreach, bible studies, retreats and other small groups.