Mount Carmel Ministries

Mike joined us as our evening preacher at family camp in 2026. He preaches on John 11 in this sermon.

Mike Hanson joined us as our evening preacher for a family camp in 2026. He preaches on Colossians 2 in this sermon.

Martha Hanson preached at a Sunday Morning Worship service during family camp in 2026. She preached on Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30.

This episode is a sermon preached by Pastor David Blackstad on one of our Sunday Morning worship services in 2026. The preaching texts are Ephesians 5 and Acts 2.

We will explore the person and work of the Spirit who dwells within every believer. Jesus promised His Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower us for life and mission. Together, we’ll discover the Spirit’s gifts and the fruit He produces in us as evidence of His work. We’ll be invited to walk by the Spirit each day and see how He can transform ordinary people into faithful followers of Jesus.

Luke Kjolhaug is the pastor of Elim Lutheran Church in Osakis, MN. This week, we will embrace the paradox of sin and grace, explore the heart of the struggle, and dive into why this matters. Through straightforward storytelling and robust theological reflection, Luke will reveal a third way between simplistic “either-or” extremes. He will encourage you to recognize that you are fully known and profoundly loved, even in the midst of confusion or failure. The result will be a new lens through which to see your day-to-day struggles, offering solace that God’s grace is greater than your shortcomings. Join us to explore the liberating truth that you are indeed both sinner and saint!

Pastor Roy Noel preached at family camp in 2026. He preaches on John 11:25 in this episode.

Join us for Pastor Roy Noel's Sunday Morning Sermon at Family Camp in 2026. He preached on Jeremiah 28:5-9 Psalm 119:153-160 Romans 7:1-13 Matthew 10:34-42.

These lectures examine the historical and theological connections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We'll explore both shared roots and profound theological divergences — understanding not only where these faiths intersect but why their identities remain distinct. Adam Francisco is Director of Academics and Scholar in Residence at 1517, with a DPhil from the University of Oxford.

We gathered for worship on Father's Day. June 21, 2026. The texts were Psalm 91:1-10 and Matthew 10: 21-33. This was also our first day of our first family camp for 2026!

Join us for a special episode. We recorded the entire final Cantabile worship service at Mount Carmel this summer. Enjoy!

We gathered for worship May 31, 2026 on Trinity Sunday. Genesis 1:1—2:4a

Psalm 8 Acts 2: 22-36

Matthew 28:16-20

We gathered for worship at Mount Carmel May 24th of 2026. The texts were Psalm 25:1-15, Acts 2:1-21, and John 7:37-39.

Listen to David Blackstad preach on freedom from our addiction to control. This sermon was preached on August 3rd, 2025.

The book of Revelation is both one of the most read and most misunderstood books of the Bible.  Attempts to “decode” or interpret the Apocalypse have often done more harm than good for the church.  Pastor Nathan Hoff and Pastor Dave Wollan will present a different approach to reading the Revelation, one more along the lines of a pastoral letter from Pastor John on Patmos to a beleaguered people. 

Emma Wollan preached on a Sunday morning at Family Camp in 2025. She preached on Genesis 11:1-9, Romans 5:1-11, and John 10: 1-21.

The following is a sermon David Blackstad preached at family camp in 2025.

God has given all of us an amazing ability to “dream,” and he encourages us to do just that! Indeed the Bible includes some great examples of godly “dreamers”. We’ll be looking at some of those in detail, as well as some solid biblical principles for understanding, developing, and fruitfully using the God-given gift of our imaginations. 

With some frequency the Lord has called Paul and Pris Gossman to embrace new places and challenges, and always he has proven himself gracious faithful, and present as they have followed his lead. Over the years they have served God in the Philippines, Peru, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis, where Paul served as the Executive Director of the World Mission Prayer League. Together they enjoy hiking, travel, photography, and trying new foods. Now working part-time in “semi-retirement,” they like to dream of what the Lord might have next for them, and Paul feels especially called to help other followers of Jesus use their “sanctified imaginations” in discerning God’s plan for them. 

Pastor Culynn joined us as our guest preacher for family camp in 2025. This was a sermon he preached on John 10 for our Sunday worship service.

Pastor Culynn Curtis preached on Hebrews Chapter 11 and 12 following our summer staff drama at our weekend family camp.

Dr. Thorson has published many articles on C.S. Lewis as well as a book called Joy and Poetic Imagination: Understanding C.S. Lewis’s “Great War” with Owen Barfield and its significance for Lewis’s Conversion and Writings. This weekend we will dive into C.S. Lewis’s conversion. What the steps were that led to his conversion to Christ and what his Christian view of the world and human beings was afterward. Stephen has also written the majority of topical articles in The Applied New Testament Commentary and The Applied Old Testament Commentary translated into many languages and circulated around the world. Stephen has also taught Theology in Nepal for over 30 years and also at Bethany Global University and at the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute. 

Katie Koch joined us as a guest preacher this summer. She preached on John Chapter 10.

This week Magnus Persson will examine his journey from popular preacher where church was a party, to the Lutheran faith and pastor in the Church of Sweden where he relishes the liturgy nourished by its historic roots. Persson relies heavily on Luther’s book On the Councils and the Church to answer this question and explain his journey. 

Magnus is a husband, father, and grandfather. He is an ordained Verbi Divini Minister and works as a pastor for EFS – a missional renewal movement in the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is also the network co-ordinator of Re:formera and the host for its weekly podcast. Magnus published his book Reclaiming the Reformation: Christ for you in Community in 2021 with 1517 Publishing. 

Paul Koch joined us as a guest preacher for the family camp in 2025. This sermon is on Hebrews chapter 11, immediately following our summer staff drama.

Paul Koch joined us as a guest preacher for family camp in 2025. This sermon is preached on Luke 10: 38-42.

Paul Koch joined us as a guest preacher during family camp in 2025. He preached on Luke chapter 10.

Paul Cross joined us as a guest preacher for family camp in 2025. This is part four of his sermon series.

Paul Cross joined us as a guest preacher at Family Camp in 2025. This is part 3 of his sermon series on John 10.

Paul Cross joined us as a guest preacher for family camp in 2025. This is part two of his sermon series.

Paul Cross joined us as our guest preacher for family camp in 2025. He preached on John chapter 10.

Walter Sundberg is a professor emeritus of church history and a dynamic and engaging speaker. We cannot live without money in our society. We cannot live in our society without politics. Money and politics are fundamental realities of our life. It has always been so. The Bible and the Christian tradition speak about money and politics and offer guidance as to their use. We will examine this guidance with a special focus on St. Paul and Martin Luther.

Johan Hinderlie was back at Mount Carmel as a guest preacher this summer! Here is his sermon on Colossians and attachment to Jesus!

Ken Sundet Jones, Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, loves teaching undergrads. He was born in Heidelberg, which must be why he likes Luther so much. He was shaped by the Sturgis motorcycle rally in his hometown and by summers at his grandparents’ cattle ranch. His doctoral dissertation covered 16th-century German evangelical funeral preaching. And he knows how to do knitting and Scandinavian flat-plane woodcarving.

Paul Cross is recently retired from serving as the lead pastor of Atonement Lutheran in Fargo, ND. Paul specializes in Inductive Bible Study, the same method of Bible study practiced by Mount Carmel’s founders at the Lutheran Bible Institute. Join us for a week of wonderfully applied Biblical teaching including Paul Cross’ token “Dad Jokes of the Day”.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/podcast-resources/

Gabe grew up in Macomb, MI. After spending five years starting new churches in Austin, TX, he is excited to be back in Michigan as the Pastor of ULC. He serves the mission of ULC through preaching, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gabe studied at Concordia University Wisconsin before going on to get his M.Div at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys playing soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and cheering on the sinful and disgusting Green Bay Packers. Gabe and his wonderful wife Melissa have three great kids.

David and Cynthia’s theme for the week is ‘Grounded in the Apostles’ Creed’. They will explore how we can bring this ancient Church creed into our modern lives. During our time together, they shall look at how our Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has delivered to us our salvation. Sessions will focus on the Fatherhood of God; what Christ has done for you on the cross and how does the Holy Spirit build us, as believers, into Christian community. There will be opportunity following each session for further discussion.

David and Cynthia have been married for thirty three years. They are blessed to have two sons, two daughters-in-law and two adorable grandchildren. They live on the east coast of Northern Ireland, ten miles from Belfast. They served in church ministry for twenty five years, when through a crisis, rediscovered the power of God’s grace and

forgiveness in Christ. It was while exploring the message of God’s grace that their lives intersected with Johan and Sonja Hinderlie. David and Cynthia are privileged to contribute weekly to the Ground Up Grace podcast as ‘The Irish Cast’ and they actively serve in their local Presbyterian church.

Cynthia enjoys gardening, cooking and walking in the Irish countryside and coastline. She is an online tutor providing support to people with communication and learning needs.

David enjoys soccer, Irish history, reading widely, especially Lutheran theology and drinking lots of tea. He is a book dealer and paints and sells model historical figures.

David and Cynthia’s theme for the week is ‘Grounded in the Apostles’ Creed’. They will explore how we can bring this ancient Church creed into our modern lives. During our time together, they shall look at how our Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has delivered to us our salvation. Sessions will focus on the Fatherhood of God; what Christ has done for you on the cross and how does the Holy Spirit build us, as believers, into Christian community. There will be opportunity following each session for further discussion.

David and Cynthia have been married for thirty three years. They are blessed to have two sons, two daughters-in-law and two adorable grandchildren. They live on the east coast of Northern Ireland, ten miles from Belfast. They served in church ministry for twenty five years, when through a crisis, rediscovered the power of God’s grace and

forgiveness in Christ. It was while exploring the message of God’s grace that their lives intersected with Johan and Sonja Hinderlie. David and Cynthia are privileged to contribute weekly to the Ground Up Grace podcast as ‘The Irish Cast’ and they actively serve in their local Presbyterian church.

Cynthia enjoys gardening, cooking and walking in the Irish countryside and coastline. She is an online tutor providing support to people with communication and learning needs.

David enjoys soccer, Irish history, reading widely, especially Lutheran theology and drinking lots of tea. He is a book dealer and paints and sells model historical figures.

David and Cynthia’s theme for the week is ‘Grounded in the Apostles’ Creed’. They will explore how we can bring this ancient Church creed into our modern lives. During our time together, they shall look at how our Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has delivered to us our salvation. Sessions will focus on the Fatherhood of God; what Christ has done for you on the cross and how does the Holy Spirit build us, as believers, into Christian community. There will be opportunity following each session for further discussion.

David and Cynthia have been married for thirty three years. They are blessed to have two sons, two daughters-in-law and two adorable grandchildren. They live on the east coast of Northern Ireland, ten miles from Belfast. They served in church ministry for twenty five years, when through a crisis, rediscovered the power of God’s grace and

forgiveness in Christ. It was while exploring the message of God’s grace that their lives intersected with Johan and Sonja Hinderlie. David and Cynthia are privileged to contribute weekly to the Ground Up Grace podcast as ‘The Irish Cast’ and they actively serve in their local Presbyterian church.

Cynthia enjoys gardening, cooking and walking in the Irish countryside and coastline. She is an online tutor providing support to people with communication and learning needs.

David enjoys soccer, Irish history, reading widely, especially Lutheran theology and drinking lots of tea. He is a book dealer and paints and sells model historical figures.

David and Cynthia’s theme for the week is ‘Grounded in the Apostles’ Creed’. They will explore how we can bring this ancient Church creed into our modern lives. During our time together, they shall look at how our Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has delivered to us our salvation. Sessions will focus on the Fatherhood of God; what Christ has done for you on the cross and how does the Holy Spirit build us, as believers, into Christian community. There will be opportunity following each session for further discussion.

David and Cynthia have been married for thirty three years. They are blessed to have two sons, two daughters-in-law and two adorable grandchildren. They live on the east coast of Northern Ireland, ten miles from Belfast. They served in church ministry for twenty five years, when through a crisis, rediscovered the power of God’s grace and

forgiveness in Christ. It was while exploring the message of God’s grace that their lives intersected with Johan and Sonja Hinderlie. David and Cynthia are privileged to contribute weekly to the Ground Up Grace podcast as ‘The Irish Cast’ and they actively serve in their local Presbyterian church.

Cynthia enjoys gardening, cooking and walking in the Irish countryside and coastline. She is an online tutor providing support to people with communication and learning needs.

David enjoys soccer, Irish history, reading widely, especially Lutheran theology and drinking lots of tea. He is a book dealer and paints and sells model historical figures.

Dr. Dan van Voorhis is the writer and host of The Christian History Almanac, a 1517 Podcast Network show. This 5-7 minute daily podcast is a reflection on the past events from that day that have shaped the church, stories of sinners and saints who have made up the church, as well as a piece of prose or poetry that reminds us that everything is going to be ok. Dr. van Voorhis speaks on a variety of topics in the history of the church, from the early beginnings through the 21st century American evangelical church. Dan has spoken internationally on the impacts of the early church creeds, the Reformation, Christianity in the United States, and issues pertaining to the church and state in America. Dr. Dan van Voorhis, professor, speaker, and author presents around the nation on the topic of why young people are leaving the church. From his work with young people at Universities and colleges and through his various podcasts.

Dr. Dan van Voorhis is the writer and host of The Christian History Almanac, a 1517 Podcast Network show. This 5-7 minute daily podcast is a reflection on the past events from that day that have shaped the church, stories of sinners and saints who have made up the church, as well as a piece of prose or poetry that reminds us that everything is going to be ok. Dr. van Voorhis speaks on a variety of topics in the history of the church, from the early beginnings through the 21st century American evangelical church. Dan has spoken internationally on the impacts of the early church creeds, the Reformation, Christianity in the United States, and issues pertaining to the church and state in America. Dr. Dan van Voorhis, professor, speaker, and author presents around the nation on the topic of why young people are leaving the church. From his work with young people at Universities and colleges and through his various podcasts.

Dr. Dan van Voorhis is the writer and host of The Christian History Almanac, a 1517 Podcast Network show. This 5-7 minute daily podcast is a reflection on the past events from that day that have shaped the church, stories of sinners and saints who have made up the church, as well as a piece of prose or poetry that reminds us that everything is going to be ok. Dr. van Voorhis speaks on a variety of topics in the history of the church, from the early beginnings through the 21st century American evangelical church. Dan has spoken internationally on the impacts of the early church creeds, the Reformation, Christianity in the United States, and issues pertaining to the church and state in America. Dr. Dan van Voorhis, professor, speaker, and author presents around the nation on the topic of why young people are leaving the church. From his work with young people at Universities and colleges and through his various podcasts.