The Rev. Michael Holmen was ordained and installed as the new pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Oelwein, Iowa, and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Independence, Iowa, on June 27.

Holmen earned his bachelor of arts degree from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. After graduation, he moved to Naju, South Korea, to teach English. The year teaching English proved to be a pivotal moment in his path to the ministry. While in South Korea, he received a gift of C.F.W. Walther’s book, “The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel.” Reading Walther for the first time convinced Holmen that he would like to pursue the pastoral ministry. In 2006, he enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. From 2008 to 2009, he was a vicar at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Billings, Mont. In May 2010, he graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree.

Holmen is the son of Gary and Judy Holmen of Albert Lea. He and his wife, Jana, reside in the parsonage at Oelwein.