About

Rev. Ian Wolfe

Pastor, Father, Chess Coach, and Sabbath Seeker

Growing up amongst the rolling Loess Hills of Iowa, I completed my undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Religious Studies & Political Science. I then received my M.Div. from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and was ordained in 2007.

I’ve been engaged in ordained ministry for sixteen years across two Lutheran denominational bodies (ELCA & now NALC). I’ve served congregations in Iowa, California, & Oregon, as well as chaplain to a Lutheran based Nursing Home. Our family now calls the Pacific Northwest home having the joy to serve the saints at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baker City, Oregon.

When not at the parish you can usually find me at one of the schools in the Baker 5J District teaching kids the beautiful game of chess. Or I’m at home either with either a book, a fountain pen(s), a bottle of ink, a notebook, a Xbox controller, or typing on a keyboard trying my hand at fiction writing. You might also spot me at either of my favorite local establishments, either drinking a breve from Coffee Corral or a namesake pint at North 7 Brewing Co.

I currently am working on applying for a Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant and created this blog to be my journal, resource organizer, dream planner, inspiration board, and, hopefully, the repository of photos, videos, and blog posts of my first sabbatical.