Pastor Tom Olson began serving Minnesota Valley Free Lutheran Church in 2015. He previously served churches in Ohio, Alaska, and Wisconsin. He and his wife, Sharon, have three grown children. Sharon served as a missionary teacher in Liberia, West Africa for eleven years before she and Tom met.

Tom grew up in Coon Valley, Wisconsin, near La Crosse. He attended Westby High School, and received his bachelor’s degree in music education from UW-La Crosse in 1982. After teaching music in Glennallen, Alaska for one year, he felt called to study at the Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in Plymouth, MN where he received his Master of Divinity degree.

As a parish pastor, Tom has served as the chairman of the AFLC Hymnal Committee, was the first Alaskan missionary pilot for FLAPS (Free Lutheran Association of Pilot Supporters), and was general manager of KAKN Christian Radio where he oversaw the Gospel Aviation Hangar project in Naknek, Alaska. He has served for many years as president of the Lutheran Mission Societies – Alaskan Mission. Tom has played euphonium in the Rosemount Community Band, and writes a devotional column, “The Country Preacher,” for Iron Age magazine. He is currently restoring a 9-ton 1921 Russell steam tractor.

Pastor Tom’s passion in ministry is witnessing people discover and use their spiritual gifts in volunteer and full time ministry. He has mentored several lay pastors who now serve small churches in bi-vocational capacity. Tom and Sharon faithfully encourage their Minnesota Valley congregation to introduce the good news of the Gospel to lost souls. To bless them with the promise of peace and joy that comes in knowing Jesus as Savior and friend.