Pastor Michael Ozaki arrived in Crookston in September of 2021 along with his wife Brianna and three children Elle (8), Emery (6) and Miles (1). A shared pastor with Trinity Lutheran Church, when he is not looking for new ways to love God's people and be church beyond our walls, you might find him spending time with family, riding a longboard or playing the drums poorly but with high enthusiasm. Pastor Mike has worked in mercy missions in India, Thailand, and South Africa focusing on HIV/AIDS affected children and families before earning a Bachelors in Sociology from Eastern University a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University. 

Pastor Isaacson grew up in Kittson County, MN and attended Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN. After a brief period working at American Federal Bank, Pr. Isaacson followed his calling to ministry and entered seminary in 1987. He has served congregations in Clarissa, Ada, Bemidji, Afton, and Crookston, all in Minnesota. He is married to Kristen and they have a son Karsten in his final year at the University of Minnesota.

Pastor Curt grew up in Maplewood, MN and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. His first career was in convenience store management. After this, he worked as the thrift store supervisor for the New Life Center in Fargo. It was there that he realized it was time to follow his call to ministry, and he enrolled at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. He began course work in the fall of 2020, during COVID. While in seminary, he served as a Synod Authorized Minister at Glyndon Lutheran Church and then as an intern at Olivet Lutheran in Fargo, ND. His wife is Anna Erickson, and their son Ezekiel (Zeke) is in the Kindergarten Readiness Program at Washington School in Crookston.

**Rev. Gretchen Enoch** 

My journey is a heartfelt testament to a life dedicated to serving others with

compassion, humility, and unwavering faith. I was born and raised in

Indianapolis, Indiana, and from an early age, I felt a deep calling to make a

meaningful difference in the lives of those around me. I pursued my passion

for ministry at Valparaiso University in Indiana, and in 1995, I was consecrated as a

Lutheran Deaconess through the Lutheran Deaconess Association—setting my feet

firmly on a path of service rooted in love and grace. 

From the beginning, my ministry has been characterized by a genuine desire to reach

and uplift others. I served as Director of Christian Education at St. John’s Lutheran in

Louisville, Kentucky, pouring my heart into nurturing faith and hope. My journey then

took me to the breathtaking Colorado Rockies, where I served as an Associated

Chaplain at Snowmass Chapel and Community Center—finding joy in providing spiritual

support to a diverse community surrounded by God's magnificent creation. 

My calling then led me to The Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, where I was

ordained in 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jasper, Indiana. Since then, I have

been blessed to serve in a variety of settings. I provided compassionate care at Baptist

Hospital East, offered spiritual guidance as a Spiritual Care Counselor at The Betty Ford

Center. I then poured my soul into my congregation at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in

Minneapolis an Associate Pastor. I accepted a call to serve as a Senior Pastor at First

Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, MN and fell in love with my surroundings and the people

of my church. 

Beyond my traditional roles, I am deeply passionate about outreach and healing. I have

worked with inmates at the jail, offering hope and spiritual support to those seeking

redemption and renewal. I also started an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, creating

a space of healing and sobriety rooted in faith. Additionally, I lead "Stretch and Pray," a movement and prayer session designed to energize and uplift our community physically and spiritually. 

A lifelong learner and teacher, I also love leading Bible study classes—helping others

navigate the entire Bible in one year. My goal is to meet people where they are, offering

Christ’s love and grace in every encounter. 

Currently, and for the last 3 years, I serve as Senior Pastor at Fisher/Bygland Parish,

Fisher, Minnesota. I continue my calling to guide and uplift my community with warmth,

wisdom, and a fiery passion for Christ’s transformative power. My life is a vibrant

tapestry woven with service, advocacy, and an unshakable belief in the hope found in

the Gospel. 

My journey exemplifies a calling to serve all of God's children—whether behind bars, in recovery, or within the walls of my church—always with a heart full of love, faith, and a

desire to bring light into the darkest places.