Schweitzer celebrating 30 years of ministry

In May 2002, Dr. Keith Schweitzer was working in his office at St. John Lutheran Church in Lawton, Oklahoma when the phone rang. Gary Schulteis was on the line.

“Pastor Schweitzer, would you consider being our pastor here in Greenfield, Iowa?”

“Where is Greenfield, Iowa?”

That question would change everything. Two months later in July, Schweitzer was installed as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church here in Greenfield. He has served the congregation ever since. Schweitzer is celebrating 30 years in the ministry this month.

Schweitzer graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in May 1989 and was ordained in his home congregation of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Houston. He went on to earn his doctorate degree in 2006. Schweitzer has served congregations in Texas, Oklahoma, and here in Iowa. He is a 1985 graduate of Concordia University Texas in Austin. He grew up and graduated from high school in Houston.

Schweitzer is also an Eagle Scout and Army veteran having served seven years in various capacities. He has been active with the American Legion and the Scouts here in Greenfield and with Operation Barnabas which is the ministry to the armed forces of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Schweitzer worked with Jay Howe in the incorporation of the Nodaway Valley Ministerial Association and is well known around town for his many years helping individuals and families in need through the association’s benevolence ministry fund.

In October 2003, Schweitzer met with a delegation of people in Winterset. From those meetings, a new congregation was formed. Faith Lutheran Church is a young and growing congregation in Madison County. Schweitzer “keeps Highway 92 hot” between Greenfield and Winterset every Sunday.

Dr. Schweitzer and his wife, Susan, along with their children, David and Joanna, have been a very active part of the Greenfield family and of Immanuel Lutheran Church since they arrived in 2002. Many students of the Nodaway Valley School District know Schweitzer as a frequent substitute teacher in their classrooms over the years.

Schweitzer's congregations congratulate him on his 30 years of ministry and 17 years in Greenfield and look forward to many more years to come.