Rev James Woelmer was born and raised in Monroe, Michigan. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1986. After graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1990, he later earned a Masters of Science degree from Concordia University Nebraska in 1998.

Pastor Woelmer served St John Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska from 1990-2002 and Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas from 2002-2023, first as an Associate Pastor and then as Senior Pastor. He was installed at Christ Lutheran Church, Manhattan, Kansas on August 26, 2023.

He serves on the Board of Regents for Concordia University Nebraska and as a Board member on the Randolph Foundation. His hobbies are gardening and brewing beer.
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He and his wife Rachel have 5 children and 15 grandchildren.