Melissa is called as Pastor to First Lutheran Church in downtown Audubon, and as the Rural Ministry Mission Developer for the NWMN Synod.  Pr. Melissa works with rural and small town congregations that are experiencing a strain on resources and members, discovering new ways to be church in their community and different ways to live out their mission.  

Pr. Melissa is a 1998 Augustana graduate, and an M-DivX graduate of Luther Seminary in 2022.  Before going to seminary, Pr. Melissa was a Children and Youth Minister in Moorhead.  She and her husband, Brian, have adult daughters: Katherine, Audrey and Elizabeth and a middle school son, Erickson.  

Pr. Melissa is involved in campus ministry at MSUM, The Jordan Project and the Women's Resiliency Team for the NWMN Synod.  She enjoys walking, running and conversations about worship and ministry.  She loves music, being with family and friends, and watching rom-coms.

Email: mpickering001@luthersem.edu