David Fleischmann has always wanted to be a church pastor, but finished what he started after beginning a family and working in management.

“I know what it’s like to sit in the pew; I know what it’s like to be behind the pulpit,” said Fleischmann, the new pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church of Austin.

Born and raised in Lake Geneva, Wis., the pastor began in the seminary, and completed the first four years before marrying “the love of my life” and raising children.

An assistant grocery store manager, he eventually pursued what had always sat in the back of his mind with a little push.

“Finally, I had a pastor who encouraged me,” he said, and attended the seminary the remaining four years. “My family and I all went through the seminary together.”

After seven years in the church, he has made another move, this time answering a call to serve in Austin and moving from Morris, Minn.

“They’ve been an extremely welcoming group of people; their enthusiasm is really great,” said Fleischmann, who started Oct. 26. “Their love of the savior is undeniable.”

The sister congregations, part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, were seeking stability in a pastor.

“If there is anything I’ve been called, it’s a Steady Eddie,” Fleischmann said with a laugh. “My basic role as a pastor is both to shepherd people, to lead them by God’s word, and teach them to carry on with God’s word.”

His goals are to increase the focus on Bible study and several youth programs, and add more fun activities for members. The pastor said he has experience with a variety of ages, from youth to seniors, which is applicable to Trinity, an older congregation, and Beautiful Savior, where he would like to boost the youth ministry.

Beautiful Savior, which is about 45 years old, has a congregation of 171 people; rural Trinity, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, has 90 members.

“They are both smaller churches who share a common faith,” Fleischmann said.

Sunday worship begins at 10:45 a.m. at Beautiful Savior (2103 Eighth St. S.W.) and 9 a.m. at Trinity (22980 630th Ave.). For more information, visit www. beautifulsavior austin.org.