Pastors

Current

Pastor Gerhard Wilch

Pastor Gerhard Wilch spent time growing up in Canada, the US, and Germany. He obtained a Masters in Science at Brock University and a Master of Divinity at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He began his ministry as a missionary to Canadian newcomers in Toronto. Then he served as a pastor in Toronto and subsequently in Surrey, B.C.

Pastor Wilch is married to Tingyu who hails from Beijing, China, and they have a son, Jonathan. They have a heart for missions and have served together in bringing Jesus to people of many backgrounds.

In April 2024 Pastor Wilch began serving at St. Paul’s where he is getting to know the members and the community, and by God’s grace, working with God’s people for the strengthening of genuine fellowship and to see Jesus lifted high at St. Paul’s, in Amherst and beyond.

The Wilch’s enjoy outdoor recreational activities and look forward to engaging with everything that beautiful Wisconsin has to offer.

Previous

Rev. Loren Zell - Retired

Pastor Zell was called to serve as the full-time vacancy Pastor for St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst starting in March of 2020.  He then received and accepted a call from St. Paul's Lutheran Church to be the full-time Pastor starting March of 2021.  He grew up in West Bend, WI, and graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 1975. After graduation he worked as an salesman in the iron and steel industry in southeast WI and central IL.  

He began attending Concordia Theological Seminary in 1990 and graduated in 1994.  He served as a Pastor at congregations in Goldsboro, NC, Richardson, TX, and Littlefield, TX until he retired in 2016.  He, his wife, and son moved into an RV and traveled the USA for the next three years until they settled in New London, WI.  

He enjoys studying theology, fishing, and motorcycling.

Rev. Donald Johnson - Called to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheboygan WI

Rev. Don was the pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst from 2013 to 2020. He was called to serve there after graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. He is anxious to begin his life in the Holy Ministry and serve God’s children here through the preaching of God’s Word and the administration of His Sacraments.

Rev. Don is married to Corinne (nee Mannikko) and together they have been blessed with 9 children. Before moving to Fort Wayne the Johnson’s called Reed City, MI home and are very excited about returning to a small town where everybody knows you and everything is within walking distance. In Reed City Rev. Don was the store manager for the McDonald’s located there.

Rev. Don’s aspirations are to get to know everybody here in Amherst and learn as much as he can about central Wisconsin. He hopes to stay here for a good long while and put down roots in this wonderful town. He is thankful to God for the chance to be His shepherd here in Amherst.