Pastor Dan became senior pastor at Walnut Hill in September of 2018.
Born to Baraboo high school teachers, Dan and his family were core members at Walnut Hill (formerly First Baptist Church) during exciting growth years in the 1970’s and 80’s. His mom, Ruth, was a staple in church life, serving as the church secretary for 30 years.
After high school, Dan moved on to the Minneapolis area to attend Northwestern College where he felt the call to pursue a life in full-time ministry. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education in 1996, Dan went up the road to Bethel Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree in 2000.
Upon graduation, Dan was called back to Baraboo to take the position of youth pastor at Walnut Hill. In 2007, after seven years of youth ministry, he transitioned to an associate pastor position, a role he held for 11 years in service to Pastor Dave. During this time Dan was able to secure a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL (2013).
On the home front, Dan met his wife Vonny in Minneapolis and they married in June of 1998. Together they have three children making their way into adulthood (Grace, John, and Clara).
In addition to church responsibilities, Dan is always glad to have opportunities to be coaching, working out, hiking, whistling, juggling, or riling up other people’s kids. He’s also developed a writing hobby and has his sights set on publishing a history of Walnut Hill.
