St. Luke’s is excited to welcome Vicar Grant Burnham, who is serving with us this year as part of his pastoral training. Grant’s journey to ministry has been anything but ordinary—full of hard work, unique experiences, and God’s unmistakable guidance.
Grant grew up in Germantown, Wisconsin, the oldest of eight children in a busy, faith-filled household. He first dreamed of becoming a constitutional attorney, earning two undergraduate degrees in Political Science and History from Liberty University. Along the way, he worked in a variety of jobs—everything from a lumberyard to accounting, customer service, and computer programming. These roles built a strong work ethic and gave him a broad perspective on the world.
In 2021, Grant began serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher at Faith Lutheran Church in Germantown, WI. By 2022, his pastor had asked him if he had considered becoming a pastor. God’s call became clear, and in 2023, he began his pastoral studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, starting with the intensive Summer Greek program.
While at Concordia, Grant met Rachel, a deaconess student, in a rather memorable way—at a singles mixer on a hot summer day that was quickly moved indoors. The two connected, began dating that October, and were engaged in February 2024. They were married on May 31, 2025. Rachel now serves as a deaconess intern for both the Lutheran Haven and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church & School.
Grant has a variety of interests outside of ministry. He enjoys reading theology and classic literature—especially Leo Tolstoy and Cormac McCarthy—tinkering with computers, playing golf, and even solving Rubik’s cubes. He’s also an Eagle Scout, a former marching band trombone player, and once competed in “Destination Imagination” creative problem-solving competitions. His favorite food is supreme pizza, his favorite ice cream is the elusive “Blue Moon” flavor.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to at St. Luke’s, Grant shared:
“I’m excited to be involved with so many activities across our church, school, and Haven. The wide variety of ministry opportunities here will help me grow into a well-rounded vicar.”
We’re grateful to have Vicar Grant with us this year and can’t wait to see how God will work through his gifts and calling in our community.