Our Vacancy Pastor

Rev. Paul Lauer began serving as our vacancy pastor in July of 2024 after the retirement of Pastor Bernau.  He is contracted for 32 hours Tuesday through Friday plus all services and evening classes and meetings.  He also serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal Sunday mornings and Mondays, as needed.  

Pastor Lauer is a pastor’s son and lived in rural Blue Earth (Emmanuel), Glencoe (Good Shepherd), Rochest (Holy Cross), and Hutchinson (Peace).  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree (Psychology) and completed pre-ministerial studies at Concordia University in St. Paul.  In 1991 he was graduated (Master of Divinity) from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and was ordained and installed as Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Bridgeman, Michigan.  In 1995 he became pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Cadillac, Michigan and then came to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota in 2005.  

After 30 years of ministry, he stepped away from full time ministry until being called to part time service in Lake Crystal and then accepting our request for him to serve as our vacancy pastor.