Luke Werre
Pastor
Pastor Luke Werre grew up in rural, western Wisconsin, the youngest of five children. He attended high school at Northwestern Preparatory School, Watertown, WI and continued on the same campus for his college education at Northwestern College. After college he spent the next four years earning a Master of Divinity at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI. Pastor Werre’s first assignment out of the seminary was to Grace of God Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dix Hills, NY where he served as pastor for eight years. He has been serving Peace here in Sun Prairie since the year 2000. Together, he and his wife, Jennifer, have 4 children.
Shaun Arndt
Pastor
My name is Shaun Arndt. The Apostle Paul was amazed that God would not only save such a great sinner as he was, but also call him into God's service (1 Timothy 1). I am also amazed by God’s undeserved love that He would not only rescue a lost sinner like myself, but also heap grace upon grace to give me the privilege to serve His Church in the public ministry!
While the Lord has given me countless gifts and blessings, the greatest is to know His love in Jesus Christ, my Savior. He gave me this great gift through Christian parents who brought me to the new birth of living faith in Holy Baptism. Growing up in Watertown, WI, I was privileged to attend and graduate from Trinity/St. Luke’s Lutheran School and Luther Preparatory School.
Studying to serve in the pastoral ministry took me to Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, and then four years of post-graduate study at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, which included a year of vicar (intern pastor) service at Zion, in Chesaning, Michigan.
While at Seminary, the Lord blessed me with the wonderful gift of a wife, Jamie. We were married in 2004, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Watertown, WI. The Lord has blessed us with two wonderful sons, Isaiah and Daniel, who are enrolled at Peace Lutheran School.
When I graduated from the Seminary, I received the call to serve as the pastor of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Holmen, Wisconsin, located North of La Crosse in Western Wisconsin. For 12 years I had the privilege to get to serve the congregation and its ministry of Little Lamb Preschool as well as be involved on the board at Luther High School and serve as co-circuit pastor.
In June 2017, I accepted the call to serve as associate pastor at Peace Lutheran Church & School. I look forward to getting to know and serve the church and school families as well as the Sun Prairie community. One of my great joys in life is to serve people with God's living and life-giving Word. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have about God’s Word, the congregation or any way we may serve you.
JD Backhaus
Business Manager
J-D was born and raised in the great state of Alaska. In 2001 he enrolled at Martin Luther College where he met his wife Crystal. The two were married in 2004. J-D graduated MLC in 2006, and continued on to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.
J-D and Crystal welcomed daughter Lorian into their family in 2007, and Silas was born during J-D's vicar year in 2009. J-D transitioned to working full time for Menards. J-D spent sixteen years with Menards before he requested to move somewhere that would provide the best Christian education for his children. Both children finished eighth grade at Peace, and are now attending Lakeside.
The family officially transferred to Peace in May of 2021, and J-D began working for Peace July tenth 2023. J-D has said that he is exceptionally happy being the Business Manager at Peace, and feels like his entire life has led to him being ready for this role.
Sher Vike
Administrative Assistant