Meet our Pastor
Rev. Joel Certa-Werner

I was raised across North Dakota as the son of United Methodist clergy. I met my wife, Barb, in seminary (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, outside Chicago).

My first appointment in 1995 to at the Elmwood and Rock Elm United Methodist Churches was dynamic, as within five years worship attendance doubled and both congregations took on significant building projects. My son, Thanael, and daughter, Julianna, were born there.

In 2000, I was appointed to Faith United Methodist Church, a downtown congregation in Superior. During my 21 years there, we grew the worship attendance and many outreach ministries, such as the Noah’s Ark Day Care, the Tuesday food pantry, and the Meals Outreach Ministries (free Sunday suppers to the neighborhood). God led Faith Church in launching a slew of ministries, including: Harbor House, a ministry to homeless women and families (started and directed for a while by Rev. Barb, and grew to two crisis shelter locations and two apartment buildings); the annual Wildfire! Youth Mission Event for youth across the region; the community garden project; the Grace Korean worship service; and, for a short while, the Safe Harbor Youth Drop-In Center (in collaboration with the city). My other two daughters, Hannah and Hope, were born while we lived in Superior.

In 2021, I was thrilled to receive a new venture with an appointment to Trinity United Methodist Church in Elk Mound and Iron Creek United Methodist Church of rural Menomonie. I know God has great things in store for this rural, but growing area! Interestingly, within three months of my appointment here, through a series of Holy Spirit action, the Iron Creek Church took steps in launching a Korean worship service in Menomonie.

Currently, Barb travels throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois with her work as the Assistant to the Bishop. Thanael is a pastor of three United Methodist congregations in South Dakota. Julianna is a nursing at Advent Hospital in Durand, Wisconsin. Hannah is taking gratuate courses at Marquette University.  Hope is in her last year as a college student at UW Eau Claire. She is considering a future in the medical field.

I would love to learn more about you - maybe with a visit over coffee (my treat)! I know that you will be as excited as I am about engaging with all God is doing through Trinity and Iron Creek churches!

Meet Our Team

Rev. Joel Certa-Werner
  • Pastor
Denise Jensen
  • Office Manager