The Rev. Dr. Michael Foss

Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Organization: St. Mark Lutheran Church, West Des Moines, IA

Michael W. Foss serves as Senior Pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, IA. Previously he was senior pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, GA. Gifted as a teacher, preacher, and trainer, he has authored the books Power Surge, A Servant's Manual, and Real Faith for Real Life, co-authored What Really Matters and Leading from Membership to Discipleship published by Abingdon Press. He is presently working on The Disciples Joy published by Augsburg Fortress.

Born and raised in Richland, Washington, Reverend Foss graduated from Richland High School in 1966. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1970 with a B. A. in Religion. In 1974, he graduated with an M. Div. from Wartburg Theological Seminary, in Dubuque, Iowa. Prior to going to Prince of Peace in 1993, Rev. Foss served four congregations: Christ Lutheran Church in the Spokane Valley, Washington State, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in downtown Spokane, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon and St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon.

In 1986, Rev. Foss received a Master's Degree in Theology and Spirituality from Mount Angel Benedictine Seminary, Mount Angel, Oregon. In 1999 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Pastor Foss is a visionary leader who is called to identify, equip and commission effective Christian leaders for twenty first century ministry. In this capacity he regularly consults and speaks to leaders across denominational lines about effective congregational ministry, renewing judicatory vitality and the power of discipleship to energize the church for mission. With the leadership at Redeemer, he shares a great passion for the church at large. His extraordinary leadership has brought renewed vision, significant restructuring, and a new empowerment of staff and lay ministers. He consults widely with synods, parachurch organizations, and other denominations.

Pastor Foss and his wife, Christine, have two daughters and two grandchildren.