Paul Stjernholm
Senior Pastor
Pastor Paul has been serving Peace Lutheran since 1993. Prior to his call to Sioux Falls he served St. Paul Lutheran Church in Calhan, Colorado, from 1985 till 1992. He interned at Lord of Life Lutheran Fellowship in Fairfax, Virginia, from 1983 to 1984. In 1985, he graduated from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, with a Master of Divinity degree. He did his undergraduate work at St.Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, receiving his B.A. In 1981.
Pastor Paul and his wife, Julie, were married in 1981 and have four children. He has served on the Advisory Board for Lutheran Social Services/Consumer Credit Counseling for ELCA churches and has been past President of the Sioux Falls Ministerial Association. He is currently Chairman of the Sioux Falls Area Strategy Task Force of the South Dakota Synod, ELCA.
Contact Paul at pastorpaul@peacelutheran.com or (605) 361-3683 ext. 13
Alex Smith
Associate Pastor
Pastor Alex Smith (pronouns: they/them/theirs or she/her/hers) is passionate about sharing the wide welcome of Jesus Christ with all of creation! They serve Peace Lutheran Church by connecting our awesome volunteers with local service and outreach ministries, including Necessities for Neighbors, Feeding South Dakota, Food To You, and Laundry With Love. They serve on the boards for local Charis Ministries and Church on the Street. Alex loves working with people of all ages and is an advocate for people with cognitive disabilities. You can find them in the church library, at monthly Pub Theology, or wherever worship is happening. You are always welcome to stop by or call!
Pastor Alex graduated in 2014 (Augustana University) with a degree in English & journalism and holds a certificate of Peace & Conflict Resolution (ISS University of Oslo) from 2013. Alex was ordained in 2018 (Wartburg Theological Seminary) with an emphasis on pastoral care.
Contact Alex at pastoralex@peacelutheran.com or (605) 361-3683 ext. 38
Elizabeth Platts
Associate Pastor
Pastor Elizabeth Platts came to serve at Peace Lutheran in the Fall of 2023. She was born in Minneapolis, MN in 1969 to a businessman and a teacher, who raised her in the Episcopal Church through her Confirmation. When her parents divorced, her mother returned to the Lutheran church where Elizabeth fell in love with liturgy and choral music. She attended Saint Olaf college in Northfield, MN with plans to become an English teacher...but God had other plans and called her into the ministry.
She began her seminary training at Luther in Saint Paul and transferred down to Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Ordained in 1996 to be a Minister of Word and Sacrament, Elizabeth has served churches in Georgia, SC and Minnesota.
Elizabeth loves people, loves to teach and preach, loves one-on-one pastoral care, and loves working with small groups. She particularly has a passion for reaching younger generations of unchurched people, as well as ministering with those in the final chapters of their lives. She brings her passion for biblical studies, her ability to reach out to all kinds of people, and her desire for contemplative worship to Peace.
Contact Elizabeth at pastorelizabeth@peacelutheran.com or (605) 361-3683 ext. 14
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Church Council
2024 members
Peace Lutheran follows a governance-based leadership model. We give thanks for a Church Council that helps to set policy and guide visioning for the future that inspires our whole congregation to be involved in the work of God at our church.
Adam Hatle, Past President
Janet Schlueter, President
Jamie Dooley, Treasurer
Candice Ligtenberg, Treasurer in Training
Amanda Painter, Secretary
Tony Turgeon
Amy Stensland
Michele Jensen
Paul Miller
Josh Hofmeyer
Emma Witt, Youth Representative
Pastor Elizabeth Platts, Ex officio
Pastor Paul Stjernholm, Ex officio
Pastor Alex Smith, Ex officio
Pastor Jason Kramme, Ex officio