About Us
Hope Lutheran is a member of the LCMS, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Welcome! We pray that as you worship, your heart will be opened to hear the Good News about the lifesaving sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, we have comfort and hope in a world that is filled with troubles and hardships. We pray that you will receive the peace and joy that comes only from Jesus.
About Our Pastor
Rod Morrison was born in Lansing, Michigan on Jan. 16, 1965. He has had a very blessed and adventurous life. Rod has an Associate’s Degree from Lansing Community College. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy (1996 – 2001) after finishing college and served onboard the aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson, CVN 70.
Once Rod even landed by airplane on the ship, and has been all over the world. He’s visited places like Africa, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. He and his family, BJ and Shawn, lived in Alameda, CA.
Returning home to Lansing, Michigan, Rod worked for his Father-in-Law’s business, the R. C. Hahn Co., (1991 – 2002) where he did repair work and sales of their products. After the tragic death of Bob’s son, Craig Hahn, the family business was closed and Rod went to work in a machine shop, at Emtron Gauge Co., in Wixom, Michigan, (2002-2003) where he worked with lathes and machine mills, making various gages and close tolerance measuring instruments.
Rod has always been a Christian, but was confirmed in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, on December 10, 1995, at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. He has taught Sunday school and served on the Board of Elders. Rod has always had an interest and love of the Word of God.
He was encouraged by his pastor, Rev. Richard Laeder, to take some lay-ministry classes from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and this led to applying to the Seminary in 2002.
After being accepted at Concordia Theological Seminary, Rod began Summer Greek in 2003. He has been continuing his studies ever since. He did his Vicarage assignment at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church and School, under the supervision of Rev. Philip Quardokus. Rod loves to serve the church and work with all kinds of people. He has a devoted heart for children and thoroughly enjoys teaching God’s Word and applying it to everyday life situations.
Rod is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying bow hunting and fishing. He also loves to ride his motorcycle and making things with his hands. He has been blessed with a wonderful family who cares and supports him in all he does. BJ and Shawn have been a constant inspiration during these last 5 years of Seminary training. We look forward to serving all of you here at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Helen, Michigan. We feel truly blessed to be called here and look forward to many years of learning, growing, and serving God and each other at Hope Lutheran Church.