Answering The Call: New Lead Pastor At Woodbury’s King of Kings

When Jonathan Howard Larson first got the call to become a pastor at Woodbury’s , he liked the idea of preaching on Saturday nights.

“Because that meant I didn’t have to get up on Sunday morning,” he said. “I’m not a morning person.”

He’ll have to get used to it: Larson is the new lead pastor at King of Kings.

Previously the teaching pastor at King of Kings, Larson initially came to Woodbury from a church in Wadena, MN, his first job out of seminary school more than seven years ago.

The 38-year-old said he’s looking forward to the new position, though when he was younger he didn’t envision himself as the leader of a congregation, even though his father was a pastor when he was growing up in a town 15 minutes outside of New York City.

“He would ask my brother and I if we were interested (in becoming a pastor),” Larson said. “There’s no stinkin’ way.”

But the life of a clergyman grew on him.

“God had different plans,” Larson said. “When God’s got a plan for you, you can’t say no.”

His path toward becoming a pastor was solidified while he was spending time with parishioners as an intern.

“Working with people in the midst of their life and faith—sharing their journey,” Larson said. “That’s why I do what I do.”

One of the challenges for Larson—as it is for congregations across the country—is to continue to draw people to church. Churches used to have the conception that “they’re coming to us,” he said, and today’s clergy must get out in the community and evangelize.

“People are looking for connections, no matter how you cut it,” Larson said. “We want to deepen those connections. … That’s the big challenge. The church is in decline only if we let it.”

Larson said he doesn’t plan to make any big changes to how things run at King of Kings.

“The first order of business is just to celebrate who we are as people of God,” he said. “We are blessed. The heart of this congregation is just overwhelming.”

He added with a laugh: “We’re not changing worship times or the color of the carpet—all those things that can split a congregation.”

Larson lives in Woodbury with his wife Rachel, who works at , and their two children, Erin and Corbin. In his spare time, he said he enjoys spending time with his family and playing video games to decompress.

He thanked the church council and staff, call committee, synod staff and the congregation for his selection as the lead pastor at King of Kings.

“The congregation has just been phenomenal,” he said. “It’s been humbling.”

While acknowledging that change can be difficult, Larson also thanked .

“We’re grateful for his years of ministry,” he said.

The Sunday he was named lead pastor, Larson said he was a bit nervous.

“It’s kind of like a birthday party—you wonder if people are going to show up,” he said.

But they did, and came out in his support.

“I give thanks to the congregation and to God,” Larson said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity he’s given me.”