“I look forward to being part of this congregation and community, not just a visitor.”
That’s how Grace Lutheran Church’s new Associate Pastor Ann Zastrow sums up her feelings about moving to Luverne.
“There is just a positive energy in this church and community,” Zastrow said. “I could feel it right away. The civic pride is very evident.”
Pastor Zastrow began at Grace Aug. 1 and will be installed during worship this Sunday, Aug. 18.
The White Bear Lake native comes to Luverne after serving a three-church parish in Belgrade for five years, which was her first call after graduating from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.
Zastrow said she’s drawn to doing ministry in small towns and rural areas.
“White Bear Lake was like a small town in a lot of ways when I was growing up,” she said. “I knew most of the kids and families in our neighborhood and I enjoy that about small towns.”
Zastrow’s first career was a teacher. She was a substitute teacher, then taught elementary students in Japan and middle school music in the Twin Cities before working at the University of Minnesota.
During this time, Zastrow volunteered as a confirmation mentor to middle school students for eight years.
One year during a retreat, the students completed a spiritual gifts inventory. Zastrow decided to fill one out herself for fun.
“It came back with a perfect score for faith leader and pastor,” she said. “When I told the kids, they weren’t surprised at all. They saw gifts in me that I had not seen.”
Soon after, Zastrow began studies at Luther Seminary. She was ordained at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi in 2014.
Working with youth is one of the things Zastrow is most looking forward to at Grace.
“You’ll definitely see me at a lot of school events – sports, concerts, plays – getting to know and supporting the kids,” she said.
“I’m not married and don’t have kids, and my nephews live in Iowa, so I enjoy supporting the youth in our community.”
Zastrow said she also enjoys working with women’s ministries and ministering to assisted living and nursing home residents.
“Often those folks are overlooked, but they are delightful to visit with and have great stories,” she said.
Zastrow reiterated that the best part of being a pastor is the people.
“I get to make connections with people where they are,” she said. “That’s the best part.”