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On April 18, 2026, Olson was called by the Southeastern Iowa Synod Council as Pastor in the role of Director for Campus Ministry for LCM-Ames. Olson will begin ministry at LCM after graduating from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa in May, and will celebrate their ordination as a minister of word and sacrament on June 7, 2026. 

Though they will be a new seminary graduate, they come with years of experience in both ministry and the non-profit sector. “Until recently, it was not possible for a first call candidate to be called directly into a campus ministry call. The Director for Campus Ministry for LCM ISU is a very unique position, and requires a unique candidate so I was eager for the LCM ISU Board to have the opportunity to discern and interview with this particular first call candidate for this position.” says Bishop Amy Current of the Southeastern Iowa Synod and advisory member to the LCM ISU Board. “AJ Olson not only has gifts that will continue to build on the momentum of the LCM restart, they also have the experience and passion that will contribute to furthering this mission at Iowa State.”

“When Bishop Current came to the board with this candidate, we were immediately excited about the prospect,” says LCM Board Chair Pr. Sonja Gerstenberger. “The search committee faithfully discerned together that AJ Olson was a great fit for the ministry and mission and the Board of Directors unanimously voted to extend the call.”

“I am excited to begin my call with LCM-Ames,” says Olson. “Stepping into this community feels like entering a place where the Spirit is already stirring, opening new possibilities for welcome, connection and growth with ISU students and beyond. I am grateful for the board’s faithful leadership and passion for the ministry we will do together. Guided by the Holy Spirit,” Olson continued, “I trust that we will continue to nurture a ministry where students can encounter grace and welcome, ask big questions and discover how God is moving in their lives.”

We give thanks that the Holy Spirit has been at work in this interim re-start time. We give thanks for the faithful discernment and work of the Board of Directors and for the faithful ministry of Pastor Uthe.  We are overjoyed that AJ Olson is ready to take over and lead LCM-Ames into its next chapter as an established ELCA student ministry at Iowa State University. 

The Board expresses its gratitude to you, our LCM-Ames alum and supporters.Alongside the support from the wider church through the ELCA LuMin Strategic Ministry Grant, your support makes this ministry restart possible. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our new Director for Campus Ministry, AJ Olson and the LCM-Ames ministry. 

THANK YOU!

Thanks to all of our friends and supporters, Lutheran Campus Minsitry at Iowa State raised over $900 over the course of our March Ministry Madness fundraiser.

Like the Iowa State men and women were eliminated early in the tournaments, LCM also did not win the bracket play. But in March Ministry Madness all campus ministries can celebrate that God's love will continue to be shared through ministries across the country. 

Thanks again for your faithful and generous support of the ministry, and like we say every March, there's always next year.