Pastor Christopher Ramstad has served as Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri since September 2023. An ordained minister of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Pastor Christopher Ramstad preaches, teaches, and administers the sacraments — shepherding Immanuel’s members in Word and Sacrament ministry.
Before his call to Joplin, Pastor Ramstad served five years as Associate Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus, Nebraska. He and his wife Mollie are both graduates of Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska — trained as Lutheran educators before Pastor Chris received his call to ordained ministry. That shared formation gives them a unified vision for the mission of church and school that shapes everything at Immanuel and Martin Luther School.
At Immanuel, Pastor Christopher Ramstad leads worship in the historic Lutheran liturgy from the Lutheran Service Book — a tradition that roots this congregation in centuries of faithful Christian practice. His preaching is formed by the Lutheran distinction of Law and Gospel, bringing the full counsel of Scripture to bear on the daily lives of Immanuel’s members. Beyond Sunday morning, he leads mid-week services, adult Bible class, and confirmation instruction — and provides ongoing pastoral care to the families of the congregation and Martin Luther School.
Before seminary, Pastor Chris served in Lutheran camp ministry — a season that sharpened his gift for connecting with people of all ages. Today he leads Immanuel’s ministry alongside DCE Jason Glaskey and Principal Mollie Ramstad — grounded in Christ, guided by grace, and growing to serve. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Pastor Ramstad is an enthusiastic fan of Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey, and Chiefs football — and always glad to talk sports after church. He and Mollie have four children: Katheryne, Bryan, Paul, and Olivia.
Education & Credentials
Pastor Ramstad holds a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis (2018) — the LCMS’s flagship graduate school for pastoral formation. His undergraduate training at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska in Lutheran education gave him a distinctive understanding of Christian day school ministry from the ground up — formation that continues to shape his role as School Shepherd of Martin Luther School.
Pastor Christopher Ramstad — School Shepherd Recognition
In 2026, Pastor Christopher Ramstad was formally recognized as School Shepherd of Martin Luther School through the LCMS National Lutheran School Accreditation process — a designation that honors the pastor’s vital role as spiritual shepherd of the Lutheran day school. This recognition affirms that the church and school at Immanuel share one flock, one faith, and one pastor who cares for all. Martin Luther School’s 2026 review earned 8 Strengths, 0 Deficiencies.
Word & Sacrament — The Sermon Podcast
Pastor Ramstad preaches from the historic lectionary every Sunday at Immanuel. Subscribe to the Word & Sacrament podcast — each episode delivers the week’s sermon on its own, wherever you are. Families of Martin Luther School are especially encouraged to listen and share.
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”
Matthew 4:18–20 (ESV)
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Pastor Christopher Ramstad also serves as School Shepherd of Martin Luther School — Immanuel’s PreK–8th grade Lutheran day school in Joplin, MO. Join us for worship or contact us to learn more.