Meet our Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Nathan Sager
As a way of introducing myself, let me share with you some of my background. I was born in Austin, Texas. My earliest years were spent in Dallas. When I was eight, my family moved north. I completed junior high and high school in Albert Lea, Minnesota. I call Albert Lea home. I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, with emphases of studies in psychology, history, and religion. After college, I married my college sweetheart, RitaRae, who is originally from St. Paul. We moved to Chicago, where I studied at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Clinical Pastor Education took place at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, IL. An extended internship was completed at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI. In a short span of eight days in June, 1985, I graduated from seminary, was ordained as a pastor, and installed as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church of Keweenaw in Mohawk, MI. I have been serving Lutheran congregations in the northwoods ever since, for 34 years. While serving Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, I continued my studies, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from Luther Seminary. For the 22 years prior to coming to Spirit of God, I served as Senior Pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia, MN.
I understand the role of the pastor to also be serving in the community. I strive to be active in service to the community through: the Harbortown Rotary Club, teaching college classes at Mesabi Range College, building with Habitat for Humanity, the Ministerial Association, Thrivent Action Team projects, and more.
For fun, I like to do: curling, reading, talking with friends while pretending to fish, laughing at missed golf shots, DIY home improvement projects, walking the dog, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings/Twins/Wild, antiquing with my wife, going to art shows and museums, and attending concerts by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.
My family consists of my wife of 40 years, RitaRae, and my youngest adult child, Isaac, age 28. Isaac has several disabilities and lives with us. Isaac’s service dog, Onix, goes everywhere he goes, including worship. His next service dog, Rockruff, is in training. In addition, our oldest adult son is Noah, age 37, and lives in California. He is married to Monique and they are proud parents of nine-year-old Cora, five-year-old Soren, and two-month-old Torben. Our adult daughter Hannah, age 34, lives in Chisholm, works as an RN at the VA Clinic in Hibbing, is married to Nate, and they have four-year-old Ava. I thank God for my family.
I understand the role of the pastor to also be serving in the community. I strive to be active in service to the community through: the Harbortown Rotary Club, teaching college classes at Mesabi Range College, building with Habitat for Humanity, the Ministerial Association, Thrivent Action Team projects, and more.
For fun, I like to do: curling, reading, talking with friends while pretending to fish, laughing at missed golf shots, DIY home improvement projects, walking the dog, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings/Twins/Wild, antiquing with my wife, going to art shows and museums, and attending concerts by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.
My family consists of my wife of 40 years, RitaRae, and my youngest adult child, Isaac, age 28. Isaac has several disabilities and lives with us. Isaac’s service dog, Onix, goes everywhere he goes, including worship. His next service dog, Rockruff, is in training. In addition, our oldest adult son is Noah, age 37, and lives in California. He is married to Monique and they are proud parents of nine-year-old Cora, five-year-old Soren, and two-month-old Torben. Our adult daughter Hannah, age 34, lives in Chisholm, works as an RN at the VA Clinic in Hibbing, is married to Nate, and they have four-year-old Ava. I thank God for my family.