Purdue Lutheran Ministry

Pastor Steven Rye joined the staff of Purdue Lutheran Ministry in January of 2003. He comes to Purdue, having served congregations in Strawberry Point, Iowa and International Falls, Minnesota.  A native of Iowa and the son of a pastor, Pastor Rye attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science.  He attended Wartburg Theological Seminary, received his Masters of Divinity Degree and was Ordained in 1994.

Pastor Rye has long had a love for outdoor ministry — in his college and post-college years, he spent eight summers and two winters serving on the staff at three camps: EWALU, Riverside & Sky Ranch.

Often noted for his musical ability, he has written and performed music in a variety of settings. During college he served on many outreach teams, and spent a semester on a (then) Lutheran Youth Encounter team called Common Bread.

In 1992, while at seminary, he married Suzanne Granquist – the daughter and grand-daughter of Lutheran pastors. They have two children: Rebecca & Kristofer.  Also, while at seminary he interned in campus ministry at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Other notable stuff Pastor Steve is/has done:

• Sabbatical (January 2011-April 2011) – focusing on comparing and contrasting ministry in stand-alone campus ministries vs. congregational ministries and a pilgrimage on Highway 52.
• Current member of the IK Synod Candidacy Committee
• Current member of Purdue’s Campus Safety and Emergency Planning Committee
• Given commencement reflections at six Purdue graduations
• Member of Campus Ministry Fundraising Task Force; IK Synod
• Dean of the Lafayette Conference; Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA.
• Treasurer of University Religious Leaders; Purdue University
• President of the Board; Camp EWALU; Strawberry Point, Iowa
• Chair of the Financial Development committee; Camp EWALU; Strawberry Point, Iowa
• Chair of the Program Committee; Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry; Cook, Minnesota
• Treasurer; International Falls Ministerial Association
• Treasurer of the Board of Trustees; Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry; Cook, Minnesota