Pastor Rolf Nestingen was born January 24, 1950 in Williston, North Dakota. As a "preacher's kid," he lived most of his young years in Jamestown, North Dakota before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he attended junior high and senior high school, graduating from Patrick Henry Senior 
High School. Throughout high school and college he was a football player and a member of the wrestling team.
He received his BA in Classics/History from Augsburg College in Minneapolis in 1972; a Master of Divinity from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul, in 1976; and a Masters degree in Biblical Studies from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia in 1977. Since his ordination in 1977, he has served congregations in Keene, North Dakota; Harmony, Minnesota, Minot, North Dakota, and now Grace Lutheran.
Past and present, he continues to be actively involved in God's plan that allows him to be the best servant he can be.
Dear Friends in Christ,
There’s an old joke that suggests there are only two seasons in Wisconsin, namely, winter and ‘under construction’. Indeed, and that’s exactly how we’ve been feeling at Grace lately. We’re ‘under construction’, so to speak, in that the renovations and remodeling has begun. This is the culmination of a lot of planning for improvements in anticipation of our celebration of “100 Years of Grace”. It’s the fruits of your generosity to the latest version of the Heart & Soul campaign!
What it means will become obvious as the summer wears on. Already half the staff has been displaced from their offices as the work begins. In fact, you’ll find the receptionist’s desk at the far end of Memorial Assembly, manned by a volunteer who can direct you where to find the rest of us.
You should know, too, that from June 20 – July 11 we will be worshipping either in the parlors or as announced. The sanctuary will be receiving a little bit of a ‘facelift’, refinished floors, new carpeting, etc. When the project is all done, you’ll even find restrooms more conveniently located in proximity to the sanctuary. The rest we’ll leave to your imagination!
Know this, however, that all of these changes have been undertaken after extensive study and preparation. Architectural consultants went over our blueprints, and based their proposals on our own suggestions as a congregation and as a staff. At our Annual Meeting, we approved the action of both our Board of Property & Management and the Church Council, to hire a General Contractor for the project. The General Contractor then let bids for sub-contractors, electrical, plumbing & heating, painting, carpeting, etc. We’re now at the stage where the actual work is being done, so that by fall we should be able to look with pride at what has been accomplished.
In the meantime, pray for us as your church staff as well as for all those involved in making these improvements. Change often comes with unexpected challenges. It can be inconvenient, and even frustrating for all of us. Yet I’m sure we will all be pleased with the results. So pray, even if it takes the form of a tongue-in-cheek prayer: “Lord, give me patience…and give it to me right now!”
Sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Rolf
On October 28, 2007, Pastor Nestingen celebrated his Thirtieth Anniversary of Ordination and Tenth Anniversary of his ministry at Grace Lutheran Church. Bishop Duane Pederson and Pastor David Irgens celebrated a candlelight vesper service that evening. His brother, Dr. James Nestingen gave the message. Following the service a Norwegian dinner and celebration was held in the church parlors. Over four hundred people participated in an evening filled with joy and humor. The congregations of Keene, Harmony, and Minot shared many wonderful pictures and memories from Pastor Nestingen's ministry in those areas. Some members even made the long journey here to Grace in order to participate in the event. All of Rolf and Sandy's daughter's, including some grandchildren, also made the journey, surprising their parents by walking down the main church aisle during the morning worship service. Below are just a few pictures from this grand event. Congratulations to Pastor Nestingen. Here is a link to WQOW that has a brief video of the big event.
