Rev. Eli Lietzau: Proclaiming the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus to others

Rev. Elisha (Eli) Jacob Sol Lietzau ’04 said that his path to Concordia Nebraska was slightly long and winding.  After attending a Lutheran high school in Denver, Colorado, he spent about a year and a half in colleges in Colorado.   

“I soon realized that I wanted to be involved in church work of some sort and made my way to Seward in the winter of 2000,” he said. 

Lietzau has a bachelor’s degree in theology and history.  He said his time at Concordia featured close friendships and fond memories, but he said the best thing about his time at Concordia is that is where he met his wife, Joy ’03. 

“The education that I received there prepared me for the seminary.  The friendships that I made continue to encourage me to this very day.  And the wife that I found there has been the rock that supports me in every aspect of my life,” he added. “Initially, being a ship without a rudder, the professors helped steer an otherwise directionless young kid.  Chances are they didn't even know what they were doing for me at the time.  Truth be told, I doubt any of my professors would even remember my name, and if they did remember, would be quite surprised that I ended up being a pastor.  Nonetheless, they faithfully fulfilled their vocations as professors enabling me to be prepared for life after graduation.” 

His college years were a time of exploration, learning and careful consideration he said.  When asked if his time at Concordia helped to develop this faith, he said “To be truthful, I'm not sure that it did, but this is no knock on Concordia.  The theology that was taught to me in my theology classes was sound.  The chapel services were faithful.  The atmosphere was encouraging.  But during that time you could probably say that I was a bit of a prodigal, pushing against the things that were beneficial to me.  I suppose in a way Concordia helped develop my faith because it consistently held up a mirror to me, reminding me of God's Word, even if I wasn't always receptive to hearing it.” 

Following graduation, Lietzau worked in Lincoln, Nebraska for 18 months with individuals with developmental disabilities as his wife was finishing her nursing degree at Creighton University in Omaha. After her graduation, the couple moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana so he could study at the seminary.  Upon graduation he was called to serve at Faith in Christ Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He served them for 9 years and then received and accepted a call to Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, where he has been a pastor for 4 years. 

“I have been privileged to serve two different congregations over that course of time.  I have also worked on the Circuit levels and District level, currently I am the District Secretary for the Rocky Mountain District,” he said. “Every day and every week is different.  Depending on the time of year, I will spend more time preparing for worship services and writing sermons.  I always have to carve out time to study for those sermons and for the multiple Bible studies and confirmation classes that I teach.  I also meet with parishioners, visit shut-ins, visit people at the hospital, conduct weddings and funerals, and a number of other unexpected things that always come up.” 

The Lietzaus have been married since 2004.  They have four children:  Emmaus (11), Nazareth (9), Arimathea (7) and Salem (5). Being a busy pastor, husband and father, Lietzau said he does not really have time for side interests, but joked that he may come up with a few hobbies in 30 years or so when he retires. 

“With all of the myriad of things that fill my day and my week, the most important thing that takes place is that God has deemed it good and right to use this broken-down sinner to proclaim the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus to other broken-down sinners,” he said.