About Redeemer
For more than 80 years, Redeemer has been part of the Fond du Lac community.
What You'll Learn at Redeemer
The Bible
God reveals himself to us through his Word, the Holy Bible. This changeless Gospel is divinely inspired, free of mistakes, contradictions or error.
God
We believe in the Triune God. One God, three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Through the innocent life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, anyone can be saved.
Faith
There is nothing we humans can do to earn our own salvation. The Holy Spirit calls us to Christ and to faith through the Word and baptism. He creates and sustains saving faith in Christ, and all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Meet Our Pastors
Pastor
James Borgwardt
Pastor Borgwardt received his Bachelor's degree from Northwestern College (now Martin Luther College) in 1993, and Masters of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon in 1997. In 1995, he married Heidi Buege, and the Lord has blessed them with four children on earth: Jacob, Anna, Ella and Miriam.
Pastor Borgwardt has served Redeemer since 2011, and was thrilled when Pastor Rathje was added to the pastoral staff in 2021.
Prior to Redeemer, Pastor Borgwardt and Heidi served 14 years in Georgia as the founding pastor and school director of Risen Savior Lutheran Church and Risen Savior Christian Academy in Pooler (Savannah). During his Seminary training, he served his vicar (intern) year at Peace Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
The Borgwardts enjoy sports, music, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Above all, they love to throw themselves completely into ministry where they serve, amazed that God would allow them the privilege of sharing His gospel with His people.
Pastor
Christopher Rathje
Pastor Rathje grew up in Saginaw, MI, where he was blessed to be raised in a wonderful Christian household and attend Lutheran schools during his elementary and high school years.
After graduating from high school in 1999, he attended Martin Luther College (MLC) in New Ulm, MN to begin training for the pastoral ministry. At MLC, he met his wife, Beth, who is also serving at Redeemer, teaching in the upper grades.
After college, he continued his ministry training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, graduating and receiving a Masters of Divinity in 2007.
Pastor Rathje began his ministry serving two congregations in the White Mountains of Arizona for seven years before moving across the country to Ocala, FL, where he served for the next six and half years.
Pastor Rathje joined the ministry team at Redeemer in January of 2021 and feels very blessed to be part of such a wonderful church and school family.
God has blessed Beth and Pastor Rathje with three daughters: Kyah, Bryn, and Lily. Pastor Rathje enjoys watching and playing sports and hanging out with his family.
He would love to grab a cup of coffee with you and tell you about Jesus anytime!
Leaders & Staff
Andy Nygaard
Kevin Ehlke
Tim Boelk
Tom Schwefel
Josh Lauersdorf
Tom Lorenz
Jalal Khoury
Glenn Cederholm
Jake Neitzel
Our Mission
Redeemer exists to glorify God as we gather together for worship and fellowship, grow in love for God and neighbor through God's Word, and go to Fond du Lac and the world with the good news of Christ.
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