Pastor Collette Broady Preiss

Born and raised in Wasilla, Alaska, I was an active member of a Lutheran congregation from a very young age. When I moved away to attend Pacific Lutheran University, I tried out a variety of other churches, but came back to the ELCA because of its strong emphasis on grace and the priesthood of all believers (including women!). By my senior year in college, I was aware that God was calling me to become a pastor, though it would take a few more years for me to fully accept that call.

I attended the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, where I met my husband Josh (he was working on his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, which is in the same neighborhood). We were married in 2002, and I was ordained in 2004, taking a first call in Chicago while he finished his doctorate.

In 2007, we felt called to move to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania so that Josh could teach at Bucknell University. While there, I served as interim pastor for 3 congregations and discovered gifts and passion for ministry in difficult situations.

Our son Oliver was born on Christmas Day 2009, and a few months later, Josh received an offer to teach at MSU Mankato, which was a good fit for his interests and skills, as well as close to his family. We moved to Mankato in August 2010, and I served as interim pastor of Medo Lutheran Church near Pemberton before accepting the call here at Bethlehem in June 2011