Ordination of Chad Van Meter

May 19

Chad Van Meter will be ordained and installed as Associate Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 15 at 2:00 PM, with a reception to follow at The Garden.

Chad has faithfully served Holy Cross Lutheran Church since August 2007. He began his journey as the Director of Discipleship, bringing with him over a decade of ministry experience focused on developing disciples of Christ. Prior to joining Holy Cross, he served in various roles including college ministries, high school and confirmation ministry, and in executive leadership at another Lutheran congregation.

Throughout his time at Holy Cross, Chad has been instrumental in shaping a robust discipleship process that has impacted the entire congregation. He led several church-wide campaigns such as Renewing Our Partnership, Revealed, Re-Fuel, and MOMENTUM. His leadership has grown our small group ministry, launched numerous young adult groups, and created events that connect members of all ages, such as A Taste of Holy Cross, the Father-Daughter Dance, and All-Church Picnics.

Chad has also facilitated a wide range of adult discipleship opportunities, including Financial Peace University and parenting classes. He helped develop and oversee the New Partner Process, Confirmation, First Communion, and the Faith Family Stepping Stones—a faith formation journey for children and youth through high school.

In 2009, Chad completed the Director of Christian Education (DCE) colloquy at Concordia University – St. Paul, and was commissioned and installed as Holy Cross’ Minister of Discipleship in January 2010.

During the 2017–2018 academic year, Chad was called to serve at University Lutheran in West Lafayette, where he built community and discipled students at Purdue University as Director of Community Ministries.

Since 2018, Chad has served Holy Cross as Minister of Community Engagement, pioneering outreach through entry-point events and launching The Garden, a ministry focused on cultural engagement. Alongside his wife Lesa, he oversees a year-round team of 10 as they cultivate creative, mission-minded outreach in our neighborhood.

Chad has also enhanced church operations by implementing a modern church management system and online giving platform to better serve staff and participants.

In 2022, Chad discerned a call to pastoral ministry and began studies at Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne (CTS-FW). With the full support of the congregation, Holy Cross extended a call for Chad to serve as Associate Pastor following the completion of his vicarage. That call has now been received and accepted. Please see Chad’s acceptance letter to the congregation.

Chad and his wife Lesa are proud parents of five children: Roman (a student at Valparaiso University), Chyim (18), Miela (17), Evie (14), and Juliann (13).