His congregation surprised him with a celebration to honor Olsen for his service to the area that began Aug. 17, 1992.

 

“Becker was substantially smaller back then” Olsen said. “I’d say somewhere around 600, maybe a little more but fewer than 1,000.”

 

Olsen said God called him to ministry after he graduated with a degree in biology from Bethel College. He then went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Seminary in 1980 and was called to work at Mona Shores Baptist Church in Muskegon, MI where he served as youth pastor and director of Christian education for 4.5 years. 

 

It was there that he met and married Caroline Turnwall and the two had two wonderful daughters in Sarah and Christine.

 

God stirred Olsen to move again and he found an associate pastor of Christian education job at First Baptist Church in  Willmar, MN for 6.5 years.

 

Those two positions had been the only pastoral jobs Olsen had held until Becker Baptist extended a call to him to be their lead pastor.

 

Becker Baptist first took roots in Becker in 1909 and was first called the First Swedish Baptist Church of Becker. They built a church  on Co. Rd. 11 and remained there until 1980. In 1910, the church changed their name to the more succinct, Becker Baptist Church.

 

When the congregation decided 37 years ago to move “in town”, they joined just three other churches in the area (Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist) and built their current home along Sherburne Ave. and Hancock St.

 

“When I got the call and we moved to Becker, we immediately fell in love with the community,” Olsen said. “We could tell they had a strong school system, a steady stream of tax revenue (Sherco) and it was a family-focused community.”

 

By Olsen’s eighth year as pastor, the church doubled in size and they added onto the existing building to the south and to the east. Three years ago they purchased property across the street from Walt Doering and converted the home to their youth group home and call it “The Hub."

 

Olsen is well known for his friendly persona and child-like love for church and community events and being involved in activities. His genuine smile and inquisitive nature are what makes his congregants and residents of the community appreciate about him.

 

Olsen and his staff of four (Youth Pastor Kevin Drehmel, Secretary Terri Mason, 2 custodians) says approximately 500 people call Becker Baptist thier home church with about 225 attending services on Sunday. He also has dozens of faithful volunteers every week who dedicate loads of time and effort to keep the church business running smoothly.

 

“I always say, you can’t run a church without volunteers,” Olsen said.

 

Olsen was born in Philippi, WV, but grew up in Roseville, MN where he attended Ramsey Senior High and graduated in 1976. His wife, Caroline is a reading specialist at the intermediate and medlle schools in Becker. Their eldest daughter, Christine is an auditor/accountant in the Twin Cities and younger daughter, Sarah is a hospice social worker, also in the Twin Cities.

 

Becker Baptist’s mission is to know Christ and to make Him known to others.

 

“We are here to proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ and encourage people to serve each other and be obedient to the Lord,” Olsen said.

 

Just as he has been obedient in following the call from God in heaven to the small town of Becker 25 years ago.