Graduating from Florida State University, Pastor Mel Amundson enrolled at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1965. He and his wife Nancy were married two months after she graduated from the University of South Carolina while Mel was serving Nativity Lutheran in Spartanburg. This small church provided great joy and perfect learning experiences that prepared him for future calls.

Redeemer Lutheran in Columbia was primed to grow when Pastor Mel arrived in 1973. This church grew in membership, but also in staff size and new facilities, including a brand new sanctuary seating 400.

These calls shaped Pastor Mel’s ministry, but so did the invitation to serve as a “Pastor Evangelist” for the Lutheran Church in America. For eight years he led seminars on “Preaching from Commitment,” which then prepared him to teach a homiletics course as adjunct professor at seminary for one semester.

What shaped Pastor Mel best of all was serving as assistant to the bishop for 19 years in support of two bishops in conflict resolution, leadership development, call process and directing the synod’s “Growing in God’s Mission” capital campaign.

Pastor Mel enjoys helping groups and individuals discover purpose, direction and empowerment. He describes himself as centered, grounded, and faithful.

Pastor Mel and Nancy have two adult children who continue to enrich their lives. Son Mark (and Linsey) have brought them grandson Rhys, and daughter Leah (and Scott) brought them granddaughter Bailey. Pastor Mel is blessed and grateful.