Lars Pedersen

December 1875-January 1876

Rev. Lars Pedersen was pastor of Raymond Baptist Church. On Nov. 29, 1863 Lars received a phone call from Mr. Nels Jorgensen (missionary) from Denmark. Nels came to Raymond Baptist Church in May, 1865 and served the church faithfully until 1882.  These two men served Union Grove Baptist when it was first organized. (Born in Zealand, Denmark, 1812; baptized, August 4, 1849; came to U.S.A., 1865; ordained at Raymond, WI, December 2, 1865; died in Raymond, March 15, 1888.)

Ole C. Jensen

February 1876 - January 1879

Rev. Ole C. Jensen was the first pastor, coming from Chicago twice a month to help with baptism, communion, and services.  He had to walk from the Sturtevant train station to Union Grove.  He was the first pastor ordained in the church (March 4). He had been ministering to the little church group, even prior to the formal organization of the church. (Born in Zealand, Denmark, February 29, 1844; baptized, November 2, 1859; came to U.S.A., 1863; ordained at Union Grove, WI, March 17, 1876; died in Chicago, January 31, 1917.)

For several years, after Jensen left, the church was without a regular pastor, but was being served by neighboring preachers and its own laymen. The work seemed to have moved forward even under these circumstances. 

Charles F. Hanson

August 21, 1892 - 1894

Rev. Chares F. Hanson was the first resident pastor, he spoke at the 50th Anniversary afternoon service. (Born in Denmark, March 14, 1864; came to U.S.A. 1882; baptized in St. Paul, MN, 1884; ordained at Union Grove, WI, August  21, 1892.)

Christian H. Bolvig

1894 -1896

Rev. Christian H. Bolvig (Born in Zealand, Denmark, January 17, 1869; came to U.S.A., 1886; baptized at Oshkosh, WI, 1888; ordained at Saxville, WI, June 7, 1892.)

James P. Nielsen

April 1898 - November 1900

Rev. James P. Nielsen (born in Kasson, Minnesota, July 16, 1870; baptized 1888; ordained at at Racine, WI, June 1896; died in Westbrook, Minnesota, November 19, 1904)

Anders B. Hanson

1902 - May 1908

Rev. Anders B. Hanson came to work with the church; at first, he served as minister or preacher, but in 1904 he was called as a pastor and served until May, 1908. (Born in Funen, Denmark, April 26, 1861; came to U.S.A. 1883, baptized at Atlantic, Iowa; ordained in Union Grove, WI, June 19, 1904; died, September 1, 1922.)

C.P. Olsen

1908-1910

Rev. C.P Olsen (Born in Jutland, Denmark, March 22, 1850; baptized, 1868; came to U.S.A., 1871; ordained at Rio, WI, 1893; died in Casper, Wyoming, October 24, 1928.)

Jacob Andersen

1911-1918

Rev. Jacob Anderson - During his time as a pastor a prayer room and kitchen were added to the church and a furnace was installed (1916).  These improvements cost $800. (Born in Clarks Grove, MN, July 13, 1869; baptized, February 15, 1885; ordained at Camp Douglas, WI, December 3, 1905.)

Christen Pedersen

1919 - 1922

Rev. Christen Pedersen spoke at the 50th Anniversary morning service and made a few remarks in Danish for the benefit of the older people present. (Born in Jutland, Denmark, September 24, 1869; came to U.S.A., 1891; baptized at Oakfield, Iowa, January 14, 1894; ordained at Oakfield, Iowa, 1899)

Albert Swenson

1923 - 1925

Rev. Albert Swenson was a resident pastor (parsonage); sometime during his ministry, English services were held in the morning (probably a generation gap), the young people wanted English! 

Tiffen

1925 - 1926

Rev. Tiffen Interim (Moody Bible student) pastor.

Drummond

1927

Rev. Drummond Interim (Moody Bible student) pastor

C. Hildreth Wilcox

October 1927 - December 1935

Rev. C. Hildreth Wilcox lived in Raymond and served both the Raymond Church as well as Union Grove.

Rev. Lee Clinton, Rev. Harry Giles, Rev. Ivan Peterson, Rev. Wannamaker, Mr. Mike Petersen, Mr. Fred Singer, & Mr. Arvid Peterson served to fill the pulpit during the search for a new pastor. 

Carl Tannis

July 1936 - September 1936

Rev. Carl Tannis was a Missionary to Africa; home on furlough. 

J.R. Axtell

December 26, 1936 - April 1943

Rev. J.R. Axtell was a resident pastor (Parsonage), came from Silver Lake Church. 

Walter Fricke

June 1943-October 1944

Rev. Walter Fricke - Student pastor

W.K. Wohlert

January 7, 1945-July 21 1946

Rev. W.K. Wohlert - Student Pastor

Henry Foss

July 28, 1946 - March 28, 1948

Rev. Henry Foss was a former army chaplain who pastored until he returned to army service. 

Donald Wise

August 1948 - September 1956

Rev. Donald Wise came to the church as a student, left to teach Greek at Moody Bible Institute. (Born April 16, 1923 - died April 21, 2019)

Keith Moore

Nov. 4, 1956 - Dec. 1974)

Rev. Keith Moore came to church in Woodville, WI.  Attended Philadelphia School of the Bible, earned a BA and B.Div. from Northwestern College & Seminary, Minneapolis, MN. His Wife's name is Katherine & they had 7 children (Kay, Kristine, Kent, Konny, Kozette, Kevin, & Kandace.) He served in the US Marines in the South Pacific during WWII as a Sargeant. (Born September 22, 1923 - Died March 9, 2020)

During Pastor Moore's ministry the church added the first secretary to the staff, Mrs. Louise Meyer, and a Director of Christian Education, Pastor Norm Kaddatz (June 1, 1971 - May 1, 1974). 
Terry Bachur becomes first principal of Union Grove Christian School. In the fall of 1977, Mr. Bachur left the school.  Mr. Marion Bell was named principal.  He held this position until 1979.  

Jerry Foster

May 11, 1975 - October 1977

Rev. Jerry Foster was a graduate of Baptist Bible College, Clark Summit, PA. He was a pastor in Middleville, MI for over 8 years. His wife's name is Gloria and he has two sons, Jerry Lee & Robert. 

Thomas Bauder

January 15, 1978 - April 1982

Rev. Thomas Bauder was employed for 20 years by United Airlines & attended Delta College, University Center, MI. In 1973 he graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa.  He pastored Faith Baptist Church in Cambridge, Iowa for 3.5 years while in college and after graduation.  He pastored at Calvary Baptist Church for 4 years in Webster, Iowa. His name is Delores and have 5 children (Kevin, Ruth, Martha, Steve, & Beth)

In 1979, Rev. Clarence Townsend becomes the Associate Pastor of Educational Ministries which includes the administration of the Christian school.

Youth Pastor, Jack Miller, left in June of 1979 & Youth Pastor, Chris Tjapkes, a graduate of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, came in December of the year (1979).

In 1989 Pastor Mel Stadt joined the staff as a part-time visitation pastor.  
Pastor Tjapkes left in March of 1982.  
In April 1982 Steve Weber accepted the duty of part-time youth pastor.  

James D. Maxwell

September 1, 1982 - July 21, 1988

Rev. James D. Maxwell ministered in Mount Ayr, Iowa from 1965 to 1970, in Lakeview, MI from 1971 to 1977, and in Jerseyville, IL from 1977 to 1982. He graduated from Omaha Baptist Bible College in 1965 (BA) & from Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary in 1976 (M.Div.). His wife's name is Leslie and they have 4 children (Christine, Jim, Renee, & Paul). 

In December, 1984 Pastor Weber became the full-time youth pastor. Unsure of when, but Brian Schmidt became Youth Pastor sometime after Weber (August 18). He was a graduate of Union Grove Christian School & Piedmont Bible College. His wife's name is Debbie.
Pastor Donald Criss became Principal of the school as well as the choir director, at least during 1986 & 1987. 

George Schlagel

Febrary 5, 1989 - 2014

Rev. George Schlagel was saved through the ministry of Union Grove Baptist Church in 1973 while a high school teacher and coach in Salem, WI. Shortly after his conversion, sensing the call of God in his life, he left to attend Grand Rapids Seminary.  While in seminary, Schlagel pastored the Cowden Lake Bible Church in Coral, MI, and in 1978 he accepted the call of Fox Valley Bible Church in Paddock Lake, WI. During his ten years at Paddock Lake, the church grew from 19 to 130 in attendance.  Pastor Schlagel's wife is Bonnie and they have 3 children (Robin, Bethany, & Michael). He was ordained April 20, 1980. 

Scott Wright was the school principal; his wife's name was Sheri and they have 5 children (Amanda, Erin, Jennifer, Trisha, & Stephanie).  
Youth Pastor, Steve Doctor; his wife was Deana & they have 2 children (Leneha & Analeise).
Youth Pastor Chuck Edmonds wife was Patty with 2 children (Bethany & Erin).
Assistant Pastor/School Administrator Jim Elkins; wife-Krista, they have 3 children (James, Jessica, & Jacob).
Associate Pastor/School Administrator, Lee Morey; wife-Dawn, they have 4 children (Steve, April, Amber, & Paul)

Adam Love

Nov. 16, 2014 - Nov. 17, 2019

Rev. Adam Love pastored in churches in VA, MN, NE, & Madison, WI. He graduated from Northland Baptist College and has a master's degree in Theology and M.Div.  His wife's name is Kelly and they have 4 children (Caleb, Micah, Issac, and Elijah).

Richard Schmidt

April 2020 - Current

Rev. Richard Schmidt holds theological degrees with a concentration in Eschatology, complemented by additional training at major universities and the FBI Academy. He retired as the Milwaukee County Sheriff and is the founder of Prophecy Focus Ministry, where he serves as a speaker and Israel tour leader. He and his wife, Valori, are blessed with three children and ten grandchildren.

Joshua Steele served as Associate Pastor and Music Director from April 2023 to July 2025.  His wife Rachel share 8 children (Stanley, Angela, Torey, Kate, David, Josiah, Oliver, & Riley)

1971-1974

1976-1979

1982-1984

1986-1987

1996-2002

2002-2005

2023-2025