Welcome to Pastor Nikoli Falenschek

St. Paul’s is excited to welcome Pastor Nikoli Falenschek, who will be our new associate pastor. Join us for Pr. Nikoli’s installation at worship on Saturday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. or Sunday, June 9 at 9 and 11 a.m.

Rev. Nikoli Falenschek grew up in Becker, MN with his mom (Vicki), dad (John), and sister (Ashley), all in the same house and Lutheran congregation where his mom was raised. Growing up, he was very involved with music (a diligent tuba player!) and ice hockey. He graduated from Becker High School (2007) and then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, earning a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Classical Studies (2011). Also, while attending Concordia, he met his wife, Maggie (also ordained in the ELCA).

Maggie and Pr Nikoli both attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) in Berkeley, CA. He completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Eventide in Moorhead, MN, a senior-living center, and served as vicar at Grace Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA. Both Maggie and Pr Nikoli graduated from PLTS with M.Div. degrees (2015), served first calls in central Illinois, and have most recently served in Southern Minnesota.

Maggie and Pr Nikoli now live in Waverly with their furry friends, CeeLo Green and Doctor Watson, who are rescue puggles. Pr Nikoli currently serves as an interim pastor in Hampton, and Maggie is the Dean of Spiritual Life at Wartburg College. In Pr Nikoli's spare time, he loves to read, woodwork, listen to music, and explore used bookstores.