Pastor Steve Chellew

Pastor Steve was born July 12, 1963 in Sioux City, Iowa. He was baptized, confirmed and ordained at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sioux City. After graduating from East High in 1981, Steve entered the pre-seminary program at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Psychology and Communication. In 1986, Steve began work on a Master of Divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He interned at Faith Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin and thus developed an unfortunate attachment to the Green Bay Packers.

Following graduation from seminary in 1990, Steve served as an Associate Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon, Ohio. Steve then served as an Associate Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, Wisconsin followed by his ministry as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ames. In 2002, Steve resigned from the ministry of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. After joining the association of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, Steve received a call to serve as Senior Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan.  Steve began his ministry in Harlan in December of 2006. 

Mary Secress, Administrative Assistant

Mary has been a member of Immanuel for five years and has served two years as Administrative Assistant. She was formerly the President of ILCW and currently owns and operates Harlan Haus, Bed & Breakfast and Quilts By You.  Her hobbies include quilting, reading, and spending time with family.  She has two daughters, one son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Lisa Meyer, Music Director

Jennifer Perkins, Organist

Tom Henrich, Custodian

Melanie Ohms, Bookkeeper