Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church

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This is a family pic…from the top…Tim and Heather, Nate and Keira and Franklin, Andy and Christine and Noah, Lisa and me.

Pastor Dave & Lisa  with group in Guatemala in 2005

Pastor Dave Bio:

 Our pastor is a native Minnesotan, growing up in New Ulm, where he graduated from high school.  He attended Golden Valley Lutheran College earning an A.A. degree, but more importantly it is where he met his wife of  31 years, Lisa Kottke.  Pastor Dave then attended Hamline University, earning a B.A. in English in 1977.  After working for three years and having two children, Dave finally responded to God’s call that he received in 8th grade - to become an ordained minister.  His family packed up and headed for Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY where they spent the next three years. 

Graduating with an M.Div. in 1983, Pastor Dave was appointed to Menahga/Sebeka/Hubbard charge in north central Minnesota.  One of the highlights of ministry in this appointment was starting a weeklong service camp called STORM Camp.  Each summer a group of upwards of 100 teens and 30 adults get together the last week in July to serve over 100 families in the Park Rapids area.  2008 will be the 18^th year Pastor Dave has led this camp.  One of Lisa’s highlights was getting a BS degree from Bemidji State University in French and Education.

After 9 years of ministry in Menahga, Dave’s family packed up and moved to Plymouth, MN where he was appointed to Pilgrim Church in June of 1992.  Dave served this church for 13 years.  A highlight of this ministry was leading a number of teams to Guatemala and one team to Uganda.  Pilgrim youth also attended STORM Camp each year. 

Pilgrim church developed a great sense of being in mission both locally and internationally under Pastor Dave‘s leadership.  Lisa worked her way up to Lab Manager at General Mills in the Sensory Dept. and really enjoyed her job. While in Plymouth, all three of Dave and Lisa’s sons graduated from Armstrong High School.  Nate, the oldest, also graduated from Wheaton College (B.Mus), University of Oregon (M. Mus) and is now writing his final dissertation for a D.Mus degree from the Hartt School of Music.  Nate is married to Keira and have brought Franklin (1 year old) into the world.  Keira teaches elementary music while Nate studies and cares for Franklin!

Andy graduated from St Olaf with a BS in English and Secondary Education.  He is teaching English in Shakopee and coaching soccer.  He and Christine met after graduation from St Olaf and have been married for 3 years.  They brought Noah into the world 20 days after cousin Franklin was born, making Dave and Lisa double grandparents within a month.  Christine is an elementary art teacher in the Shakopee school district.

Youngest son Tim graduated from UW Stout with a BS in Construction Management.  He is employed by Schwieters Co in Hugo MN.  Among Tim’s many accomplishments, his summer job as a junior, was the contractor for our house built in Roberts Wisconsin, in 2005.  Tim was married to Heather Morrow, high school sweetheart and member of Pilgrim Church in November of 2007.  Heather is a manager for Target Corp.

In 2005, Dave and Lisa were appointed to St Croix Valley UMC in Lakeland, MN.  This appointment ended with unfilled hopes, dreams and expectations.  Yet, even in the desert places, God is at work.  A member of SCV got a vision for starting STORM in the Valley.  This ministry continues with monthly projects which engage church members in serving local community members in need.

Pastor Dave is passionate about many things...his family, church community, leadership, missions, travel, preaching and teaching.  Dave and Lisa love to travel, be outdoors, garden, and enjoy the simple things of life.  They are excited to be living in Faribault where there are possibilities, opportunities and great potential for ministry. 

Pastor Dave sends out a weekly encouragement via email.  If you would like to be on his mailing list, please send a note to Pastor Dave. Click here to send a message to get on the email list.