Meet the Staff of Grace Lutheran
Pastor
Rev. John Odegard
Phone: 507-345-4248 x 202
Email: pastor@gracemankato.org
John Odegard grew up in St. James, MN. He was a carpenter for 10 years before changing careers to join Grace Lutheran Church as Minister for Discipleship and Faith Formation in June of 2014. In 2016 John entered the TEEM program, Theological Education for Emerging Ministries and attended Wartburg Seminary, graduating in 2019. Rev. Odegard was called to serve as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church on August 11, 2019.
John’s work as a carpenter has taught him the importance of Christian values in the workplace. He also learned that when you love something, you will always have more time for it, which is what led him to a career in ministry.
John lives Mankato, MN with his wife, Jenna and their two daughters. He can often be found helping out at Bumbelou, the children's boutique created and owned by his wife. He also enjoys camping, canoeing, woodworking, and driving his classic pickup among other hobbies. One of his greatest passions is building community in and with the neighborhood around the church itself. He especially enjoys the time he spends reading to children in the community and volunteering with schools. Getting to know new people and learning about their lives brings a lot of joy to Rev. John’s work at Grace.
Rev. John Odegard
Phone: 507-345-4248 x 202
Email: pastor@gracemankato.org
John Odegard grew up in St. James, MN. He was a carpenter for 10 years before changing careers to join Grace Lutheran Church as Minister for Discipleship and Faith Formation in June of 2014. In 2016 John entered the TEEM program, Theological Education for Emerging Ministries and attended Wartburg Seminary, graduating in 2019. Rev. Odegard was called to serve as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church on August 11, 2019.
John’s work as a carpenter has taught him the importance of Christian values in the workplace. He also learned that when you love something, you will always have more time for it, which is what led him to a career in ministry.
John lives Mankato, MN with his wife, Jenna and their two daughters. He can often be found helping out at Bumbelou, the children's boutique created and owned by his wife. He also enjoys camping, canoeing, woodworking, and driving his classic pickup among other hobbies. One of his greatest passions is building community in and with the neighborhood around the church itself. He especially enjoys the time he spends reading to children in the community and volunteering with schools. Getting to know new people and learning about their lives brings a lot of joy to Rev. John’s work at Grace.
Director of Spiritual Growth
Ben Geer
Phone: 507-345-4248 x 204
Email: dsg@gracemankato.org
Ben Geer grew up in Rochester, MN where he first started getting involved in the church as a volunteer as a High School student after affirming his faith through confirmation at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He also attended mission trips to North Carolina, Ontario Canada and Dupree, SD where he served at the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. He enjoyed being involved in ministry, and after high school became a summer camp counselor and served as part of the year round staff at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN over three years. In 2005 he moved to the Mankato area and got a job within Taylor Corporation. Throughout his time working within Taylor he would volunteer at churches in Mankato where he assisted in leading youth groups, confirmation, retreats and mission trips. Through this experience he was led to Grace Lutheran Church in December 2019 and called to serve as their Director of Spiritual Growth.
Ben married his wife Betsy in 2005 when he moved to Mankato. They have three daughters Gabriele, Esther and Chloe. They live in North Mankato and love being a part of the community. They love the small town feel of Mankato, but yet it’s big enough to have everything that’s needed. In town they enjoy exploring Minneopa State park, attending MSU Maverick Hockey games and Mankato Moondog games. When they get out of town they enjoy trips up the north shore of Lake Superior visiting the various state parks and spending time in Grand Marais. Being out in nature and seeing the beauty God has created is a way he feels most connected with God. Ben also enjoys playing guitar, camping, telling really bad dad jokes, making smoked meat and then of course, sharing the food with anybody who will eat it.
Being able to serve at Grace is a dream come true for Ben. Making connections with people and being in a relationship with them during their journeys with Christ is truly a rewarding thing to do every day.
Ben Geer
Phone: 507-345-4248 x 204
Email: dsg@gracemankato.org
Ben Geer grew up in Rochester, MN where he first started getting involved in the church as a volunteer as a High School student after affirming his faith through confirmation at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He also attended mission trips to North Carolina, Ontario Canada and Dupree, SD where he served at the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. He enjoyed being involved in ministry, and after high school became a summer camp counselor and served as part of the year round staff at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, MN over three years. In 2005 he moved to the Mankato area and got a job within Taylor Corporation. Throughout his time working within Taylor he would volunteer at churches in Mankato where he assisted in leading youth groups, confirmation, retreats and mission trips. Through this experience he was led to Grace Lutheran Church in December 2019 and called to serve as their Director of Spiritual Growth.
Ben married his wife Betsy in 2005 when he moved to Mankato. They have three daughters Gabriele, Esther and Chloe. They live in North Mankato and love being a part of the community. They love the small town feel of Mankato, but yet it’s big enough to have everything that’s needed. In town they enjoy exploring Minneopa State park, attending MSU Maverick Hockey games and Mankato Moondog games. When they get out of town they enjoy trips up the north shore of Lake Superior visiting the various state parks and spending time in Grand Marais. Being out in nature and seeing the beauty God has created is a way he feels most connected with God. Ben also enjoys playing guitar, camping, telling really bad dad jokes, making smoked meat and then of course, sharing the food with anybody who will eat it.
Being able to serve at Grace is a dream come true for Ben. Making connections with people and being in a relationship with them during their journeys with Christ is truly a rewarding thing to do every day.
Parish Administrator
Kathy Mork
Email: parish@gracemankato.org
Communication and Administration Director
Morgan Lindely
Email: office@gracemankato.org
Organist and Music Director
Chuck Hoogland
Email: music@gracemankato.org
Maintenance and Grounds
Jordin Johnson
grounds@gracemankato.org
Kathy Mork
Email: parish@gracemankato.org
Communication and Administration Director
Morgan Lindely
Email: office@gracemankato.org
Organist and Music Director
Chuck Hoogland
Email: music@gracemankato.org
Maintenance and Grounds
Jordin Johnson
grounds@gracemankato.org