Mike Pancoast, former pastor of South Santiago Lutheran Church got some calls from above… literally! Three of Mike’s kids, Olsen, Anna, and Laura, as well as his wife, Kari, climbed to the top of peaks in Washington and Montana, pausing to give Mike a call when they got to the top.

Olsen Pancoast climbed Cloudy Peak in Washington, Anna Pancoast climbed Chalice Peak in Montana, Laura Pancoast climbed Horseshoe Peak in Montana, and Kari Pancoast climbed Baboon Peak in Montana. Mike got the calls from his family members on the mountains within the period of a day. 

The Pancoasts, in addition to being avid climbers, also like to work at a church camp called Christikon in Montana. Mike’s daughters Anna and Laura are currently volunteering at the camp. Olsen is not there this year, but has participated for the past five years, and is working with another camp this summer, Holden Village.

Mike, and youngest daughter Eleanor, were heading out to Montana this week to join the rest of their family and attend the continuing ed session at Christikon. 

Mike is taking a pause from his chemotherapy to go on this trip. He has been battling cancer and a recent bout with COVID-19. He plans to resume his treatment after his trip from Montana.

Mike and Kari Pancoast live in Becker. Mike was a pastor at South Santiago Lutheran Church from 2013-2017 and is currently a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Princeton. Kari works as a pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls and as a pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman.