New Associate Pastor at St Paul Lutheran Church - Jackson

Ted Torreson was born to Rodney and Paulette Torreson on May 19, 1980, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the middle of three siblings and has an older sister, Tasha, and a younger brother, Travis. His father is a widely published poet and Lutheran English teacher at Immanuel --St. James in Grand Rapids, MI. His mother, Paulette, also trained as a Lutheran teacher, decided early on to run an in-home daycare so that she could personally raise her children. Both his parents made faith central to the upbringing of their children. Through grade school, Ted received a Christian education at Immanuel-St. James Lutheran Schools. He later attended Union High School where he gained a love for art. While attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI, he decided to be a pastor and graduated with a B.A. in History with a minor in Fine Arts. In March of 2005, Ted was invited to join, and was initiated into, the Phi Alpha Theta Historical Honor Society.

Ted moved to St. Louis, MO in the summer of 2005 to attend Concordia Seminary. During these years, Ted developed a strong passion for church planting and mission. He was an active member of the seminary club, Students in Missions, and served as its president in the 2006/07 academic year. As a vicar at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Largo, FL, he received his first taste of full- time ministry.

On June 1, 2009, Ted was engaged to Megan Krohe. Megan is an English teacher at Faith Lutheran High School in Marengo, IL. Megan played Volley Ball through College at Concordia River Forest. She now coaches girls Volley Ball for Faith and still plays on various leagues. Megan also directs yearly theatrical productions for the high school. Megan also serves as the Youth Director at St. John Lutheran Church in Woodstock, IL. Ted and Megan plan to marry in June of 2010.

Ted is a big fan of Art, History, Film, and Fantasy. He loves to laugh and is a fan of a good joke. He is always looking for opportunities to connect with others and to find creative ways of sharing the Gospel. Pastor Ted is eager to begin ministry at St. Paul. He will be in charge of Mission Outreach and New Member Assimilation and Small Group Ministry. He will be installed on Sunday, July 26 at 4:00 pm. A Welcome reception will follow.