Pastor Jonathan Kruschel
jkruschel@starofbethlehem.org 


I began serving as pastor at Star of Bethlehem in April 2022. I look forward to bringing the heart and life-changing message of the gospel to the people of congregation and community.

Background
My wife Nicole and I have two teenage daughters, one attending Wisconsin Lutheran High School and another at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Before coming to New Berlin, I served four years as the pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Holmen, WI and 14 years as the pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville, MI. I enjoy watching just about any sport and primarily college basketball and football (Wisconsin first, Michigan second), and playing golf when the Wisconsin weather cooperates.  Our family loves to travel and experience the beauties of the National Parks.

Education and Experience

• Northwestern Preparatory School Graduated 1995
• Martin Luther College Graduated 1999
• Summer Vicar (Intern) Grace Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda, CA
• Vicar (Intern) Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Columbia, TN
• Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Graduated 2003
• Lead/Administrative Pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School in Stevensville, MI 2003-2017
• Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Holmen, WI 2018-2021

Other Areas of Service in Church & School

• Coordinating Pastor of Church & School Ministry
• Ministry Vision and Planning

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Pastor Jonathan Nitz 
jnitz@starofbethlehem.org

It is a joy to serve God’s people here at Star of Bethlehem with the Means of
Grace! I have been blessed by the Lord with this opportunity since 1998. More
than anything else, I love digging into the Word of God with God's people, that
together we might be strengthened in faith by the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Personal Background

I am a third generation pastor. My wife, Stephanie, and I, have been happily
married since 1989. We have blessed with three children; Joshua, Caleb, and
Marah. I enjoy staying active by going to the gym, cycling, and scuba diving.  
While I am happy with the title of "pastor," I also rejoice to be called "grandpa."

Education and Experience

• My training to become a pastor began at Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix.
• Following high school, I attended Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, from 1982-1986.
• After graduating from NWC, my training continued at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI.
• Following graduation from the Seminary (1990), I was called to serve as pastor of two
  congregations in western Minnesota.
• I have served as associate pastor at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church since 1998.

Other Areas of Service in the Church and School

• I teach Confirmation Class 
• I work with the Worship Team to produce service folders and PowerPoint slides
• I work with the Bible Studies Team to schedule various studies for people to participate in
• I coordinate the weekly communications that are sent out to the membership
• Occasionally I accompany the Praise Band on bass guitar.

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Pastor Jacob Schwartz
jschwartz@starofbethlehem.org
(262) 786-2900 ext.124

I am new to Star of Bethlehem as of October of 2016. I am very much looking forward to the many ministry opportunities that our gracious God has placed before me here in New Berlin!

Personal Background

My wife, Jamie, and I have 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys. The oldest ones are in preK and Kindergarten and are very much enjoying their new church and school home here at Star of Bethlehem. Jamie stays at home with the younger children. I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, participating in and watching many different sports (especially football and basketball), and talking to people about our Savior. 

Education and Experience

• I attended Luther Preparatory School (LPS) in Watertown, WI for high school.
• I graduated from Martin Luther College (MLC) in New Ulm, MN in 2008.
• I attended and graduated from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2012.
• Prior to coming to Star of Bethlehem, I served for 4 years as the pastor of two churches in northeast Michigan, Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Lincoln, MI and St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Mio, MI.

Curriculum

In the 7th and 8th Grade Confirmation Classes, we use a 2-year series entitled, Confirmed in the Faith. We spend the majority of our time in God's Word, learning what he teaches us there and then applying it to our daily Christian lives. To accomplish this, we also use Luther’s Small Catechism, as it teaches the truths of God's word in a very straight forward and simple way. We also train our students to listen to sermons on the weekends.

Other Areas of Service in the Church and School

Here at Star of Bethlehem I have been called to oversee the following areas of ministry:

• Outreach, where we seek to carry out Jesus' Great Commission, that all believers go and share the good news of Jesus Christ with all the world. We do this on the local scale through outreach efforts, programs and events here in New Berlin, and on a global scale through our offerings which help support the work of missionaries around the world.
• Family, where we seek to help families understand God's purpose and role in the lives and by offering classes and programs to help strengthen the Christian homes of God's people.
• Youth, where we seek to minister to the young adults of our congregation by strengthening and building them up in their faith and Christian living through Bible Classes, get-togethers and fellowship opportunities, and service projects and trips, all the while working to connect them to and show them their part in the Church.