Welcome to
Keep the Main Thing
This website “Keep the Main Thing,” is dedicated to Reverend Leland E. Evenson, who went to meet his Creator and Lord on December 3, 2022. If he was with us here today, he would not pass up the opportunity to give glory, honor, and praise to his Heavenly Father. March 22, 2023, would have been Rev. Leland Evenson’s 90th birthday.
Reverend Leland Evenson was an ordained Lutheran Minister. It is estimated that over his 60+ years in active ministry, “Pastor Lee” as he was referred to, delivered over 5000 sermons, and presided over more than a thousand weddings and funerals. We have been able to obtain just a fraction of those messages, primarily from the late 80’s and early 90’s. We want to share them with his past congregations and new followers as well. We know there are a number of people excited to hear some of Pastor’s old messages and we are delighted we can do that.
About
Rev. Leland
Evenson
Leland Evenson was a beloved pastor and leader. He was known for his inspiring sermons and his compassion for people.
Lee was born March 22,1933 in Hanska, MN. He often spoke of growing up on the farm and all the lessons gained during that time.
He graduated from Madelia High School in 1950, then went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College, in Minneapolis, MN in 1954. Feeling called into ministry, he went on to attend Augsburg Theological Seminary where he was ordained a Lutheran Minister in 1957.
Ministry was not just an occupation for Lee, it was how he lived his life. He served all his years with wisdom, passion, joy and humility.
More about
Rev. Lee
Evenson
Lee first served as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kintyre, ND. His second call took him to Bethel Lutheran in La Crosse, WI. In 1968 Lee became pastor at Vision of Glory in Plymouth, MN. And finally completed his 60+ years in ministry at Resurrection Lutheran in Monticello, MN. His life’s passion and focus was serving Jesus and pointing others to the good news of His saving grace.
Lee was married twice. First to his college sweetheart, Merriam, and together they had three children: Mark, Shanna and Scott. Sadly, Merriam passed away from cancer in 1987. In 1989 he married Barbara Reid, and they were together until she passed away in November 2022.
Ministry was not just an occupation for Lee, it was how he lived his life. He served all his years with wisdom, passion, joy and humility.