The Presbytery of Northern Waters endorsed Nielson on May 6; he is pastor of First Church in Eau Claire, Wis. The Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys also endorsed him, and further endorsements are expected.
A minister for nearly 20 years, Nielsen previously served as pastor of congregations in East Moline, Ill., and Conrad, Iowa. Although serious about music – he took voice lessons, was part of his university’s opera company (some clips of his hymn singing can be found on YouTube) – Nielsen studied economics at the University of Northern Iowa and planned to become a high school teacher.
That’s not how it worked out.
People began to suggest to him that he consider entering the ministry. One day the pastor of First Church in Waterloo, Iowa, where Nielsen had been helping with the choir, handed him a plane ticket to Kentucky. Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary was holding a weekend for prospective students; the session of the Waterloo church wanted him to go.
In 1991, Nielsen graduated from Louisville Seminary with an M. Div. degree. In Northern Waters Presbytery, he has been one of the leaders in meetings involving six presbyteries in Minnesota and Wisconsin to brainstorm for ways to work together better in ministry.
He has served on the Permanent Judicial Commission in both Northern Waters and Great Rivers presbyteries, and, in 2006, as moderator of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.
Nielsen and his wife, Lisa, have two children.
