Rev. Terry R. Morehouse
2010 Covenant Award Presentation

Rev. Terry R. Morehouse is being celebrated for significant contributions to the life and growth of both Gustavus Adolphus College and the Church, most notably with strong leadership on the Gustavus Association of Congregations Board of Directors and the Gustavus Board of Trustees.

While neither an alumnus nor a former employee of the College, Morehouse has been deeply involved in the life of the college for more than 40 years, having distinguished himself in his love for Gustavus and sharing his considerable talents and ideas with the College. He served as a vital force on the GACAC Board of Directors from 2003-2009, including as Association Board President from 2008-2009 and, for several years, as chair of the Awards committee. In addition, he is a past member of the College’s Board of Trustees, where he served as a member of two Presidential Search Committees and on the Trusteeship Committee. He was the homilist for the GACAC convention in 2009.

Morehouse is a member of the pastoral staff at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, where he delivers the church’s weekly radio broadcast, Faith Alive. He is the author of two books, including Fellow Travelers and The Road Goes On, each a collection of devotions that draw stories from his personal experiences and from around the world, connecting the stories with Scripture and the Christian message. Additionally, he has been a teacher of the popular “Living Word” Bible Study at Mount Olivet Church for over 14 years. He has also served as coordinator for the Church’s disaster relief efforts. Now partially retired, he continues to serve as Associate Pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, leading day and weekend retreats, and maintaining a close connection with the Church, especially the West Campus where he and Joan are members. In the community, he has served as a volunteer for the Waconia Food Shelf and is connected very closely to Faith Lutheran Church of Waconia, a church that he developed in the late 1960s, where he was the Mission Developing Pastor.

Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Morehouse earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wisconsin State University at La Crosse and his M.Div. from Luther/Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul. Pastor Morehouse subsequently served Trinity Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Faith Lutheran in Waconia and Lyndale Lutheran in Maple Plain; and Trinity in Princeton, Minnesota. He also served as Campus Pastor and Director of Church Relations at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas.

Terry and his wife Joan (Carlstrom) ’64 live in Waconia. Their family includes three daughters: Kristina ’89 is married to John Madigan (New Prague); Michelle (’91) is married to Pete Zwakman (Cottage Grove); and Amy is married to Lance Abrahamson (Inver Grove Heights). They love their grandchildren Emily, Erik, Carly, Jordan, Riley, Niklas, Hayley and Tyler, and enjoy spending time at their lake home near Moose Lake, Minn.

Since 1991, the Covenant Award has been bestowed annually in recognition and celebration of the efforts of individuals who have made distinctive contributions toward strengthening the partnership between Gustavus Adolphus College and member congregations of the Association of Congregations. Alumni, pastors, Association delegates, faculty, staff and students of the College are eligible for the award.

Morehouse has selected Gustavus Youth Outreach as this year’s beneficiary of the Covenant Award. This financial gift is intended to offer the means to further reinforce the mission of the Association of Congregations on this college campus. Gustavus Youth Outreach brings together students who are enthusiastic about working with children and youth, sharing their love of the Lord. During the year, GYO teams visit many congregations within a radius of 150 miles of the College, helping to facilitate lock-ins, family nights, and other youth events. Upon request, they also work with confirmation retreats that come to our college campus.