Pastor Louis Natzke

Pastor Natzke moved to Ottawa and was installed as pastor of Christ Risen in October 2001, after serving as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario for over 25 years. With five grown children living elsewhere, Pastor Natzke and his wife Marlene make their home in Kanata, enjoying special interests such as gardening and photography.

Pastor Natzke graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri in 1971, after receiving a Bachelors Degree from Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and a Master of Divinity Degree from St. Louis, Missouri. With roots from south of the border in Wisconsin, he became a Canadian Citizen in 1999 in order to better serve the needs of the people in Lutheran Church Canada.

Pastor Natzke's interests and experiences cover a wide range of topics. From personally experiencing family life issues, to sharing the Love of God in Christ Jesus through Worship, and from motivating people to match spiritual gifts and personal interests with needs in the church and community to generating a positive attitude about life that "it will all work out," he seeks to use creative ways to carry out traditional ministry with God's people.

Pastor and Marlene have grown to appreciate the rich diversity of the people in Ottawa. It is a privilege to live in the midst of people from all over the world. And yet it is not surprise that the challenge to build bridges between people has never been more imperative, and the opportunity for the church to make a difference has never been greater. In Pastor Natzke's words, "we live in the perfect country and the perfect city to bring Good News into "all the world." Why not "Just Do It?"