Pastor Melissa Bills received her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and she received her B.A. in religion and English from St. Olaf College. She completed her Lutheran seminary residency at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Bills received the David Allan Weadon Prize in Sacred Music at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the co-author of “Families Celebrate Advent and Christmas” and a contributor to “A Place For You Interactive Edition: My Holy Communion Book,” both published by Augsburg Fortress Press / 1517 Media.

Prior to coming to Luther, Bills served as associate pastor for First Lutheran Church in Decorah, associate pastor of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois; and pastoral intern at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois. Her ministry is dedicated to nurturing people through faith and formation journeys and to furthering the church’s role in working for social justice.

Pastor Melissa is available to students, staff, and faculty in times of crisis, change, sadness, joy, or just the happenings of everyday life. She is available for private conversation, spiritual care, and prayer.

Dr. Gregory Peterson is Head of the Music Department, Associate Professor and College Organist at Luther College where he teaches applied organ and church music. He serves as College Organist and Cantor to the student congregation, playing for daily chapel and Sunday worship in the College’s Center for Faith and Life on the 42-stop mechanical action organ by Robert Sipe. He also conducts Luther Ringers, which he founded in 2008.

Education: Ph.D., New Testament Studies, Social History of Early Christianity, Yale University; M.Phil., New Testament Studies, Biblical Interpretation, Yale University; M.A., New Testament Studies, Greco-Roman Milieu, Yale University; M.Div., Biblical Studies, New Testament Exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminary; B.A., Psychology, Oral Roberts University

Research Interests: Origins and social history of early Christianity, social implications of biblical interpretation, the relationship between Christianity and empire, the relationship between scripture and faith

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Prior to coming to Luther College, Kate worked in the business and customer service fields for fourteen years. Her last three years she served as a Project Development Coordinator and Office Coordinator. 

As the Office Coordinator for Luther College Ministries, Kate is excited to be a part of creating an all-inclusive environment for Luther College Students, Faculty, and Staff.

In her spare time Kate enjoys training and working with her dogs, reading about a variety of topics from historical biographies to spiritual health, and golfing with her husband Erik.

Kate and Erik were married in 2013 and reside in Decorah with their two dogs Marley and Kaya.