Pastor Mike Markwell and his wife Rachel joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in June of 2021. Prior to serving Immanuel, Pastor Mike served Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church in Lockport, Illinois as their youth director for five years and completed his pastoral internship at Peace Lutheran Church in New Lenox, Illinois. He graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago with his Master of Divinity (2021), and from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education (2014)

Pastor Mike and Rachel reside in Gladstone with their dog, Scarlett and their cat, Winston. They enjoy many outdoors activities year-round including fishing, hiking, and biking. Pastor Mike spent the first 30 years of his life living in and around Chicago and is an avid White Sox and Bears fan. Some of his many hobbies include brewing beer, woodworking, and houseplants.

Pastor Mike is active in the community. He is a member of the Escanaba Kiwanis Club, which focuses on community service and supporting kids in the community. Additionally, Pastor Mike and Rachel are members of the Bonifas Arts Center and Enhance Escanaba. Pastor Mike enjoys playing his tuba and euphonium in the Escanaba City Band during the summer. He earned his Eagle Scout Rank as a youth and continues to volunteer with the local scout troops.

Since coming to Immanuel, Pastor Mike has helped lead the congregation in growing in its own understanding of its faith and in finding ways to serve the community. He values building relationships with church members and members of the community. Pastor Mike serves as the president of the Tri-County Conference of the Northern Great Lakes Synod and as chairman of the synod’s stewardship committee.