Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church!

Welcome to Zion! We’re glad you found our website. Here are a few things we’d like to share about our congregation:

  • We have been serving the spiritual needs of our southwest Denver community for over 50 years.
  • Our focus is on Jesus, on how he has brought us peace with God through the forgiveness of sins, and on the certainty of eternal life in heaven because of what he has done for us.
  • Our worship is Christ-centered and incorporates a variety of settings and styles to make worship a beneficial experience for all who attend.
  • We value Bible study. Our Sunday morning “Family Bible Hour” is the highlight of our week, as it offers our church family a meaningful opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and each other.
  • We have a school, too! Our church family has always been a strong supporter of Christian education, and we operate a Prek-8 school with over 70 children.

We’re excited for the opportunity to serve you and your family with God’s Word. Please join us for one of our worship services (Sunday 8:00 & 10:30am), or for “Family Bible Hour” (Sunday 9:15-10:15am), or stop by for a visit! We would love to show you around our campus and share more about how we can serve your needs. Click the “Connect With Us” button below if you would like to take the next step, and I will connect with you soon.

Serving Jesus, 

Pastor Brett Krause

Church Staff & Information

Brett Krause

Pastor

I am the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Denver, CO. In 2006, I received my Bachelor’s degree from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, and I received my Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, in 2010. My wife, Michelle, and I have three children (who all attend Zion’s school). We have lived in Denver and served at Zion for the last 12 years, and we thoroughly enjoy raising our family here in such a beautiful area of the country.

Duane (Duke) Backhaus

Vicar

It is my privilege to serve as a pastor-in-training at Zion Lutheran Church for the 2022-2023 school year. I teach 5th and 6th grade catechism and Word of God classes. I got married in July to Livia who is currently the preschool teacher at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School. We will be returning to Mequon, WI in the summer to finish up my schooling for the full-time ministry.

Anne Saggau

Office Manager

I have had the pleasure of working in the office at Zion Lutheran Church for 15 years. I have been married to my husband Ken for 40 years. We have 4 children (all attended Zion Lutheran Church) and 7 grandchildren (number 8 is on the way). I enjoy interacting with the students at Zion and helping anyone that needs assistance. If you can’t find me, I’m usually outside in the garden.

Mrs. Maddie Monday

Preschool Teacher and Director

I am the preschool teacher and director here at Zion Lutheran Church. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Martin Luther College in May of 2021. I was born and raised most of my life in a Wisconsin small town until I moved to Arizona when I was 12. Now I am happy to call Colorado my new home! In my free time, I enjoy camping, crocheting, and being with my two dogs.

Mrs. Lisa Hoover

Kindergarten Teacher

I have been the kindergarten teacher at Zion Lutheran Church in Denver, CO since 2011. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Education from Dr. Martin Luther College (now Martin Luther College) in 1984. I have taught PreK, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd, 2nd & 3rd and 3rd-4th-5th grade classes. I am originally from Brillion, WI and enjoy hiking, reading and spending time with my family.

Mrs. Ruth Merklinger

1st-2nd Grade Teacher

I serve as the 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Zion Lutheran in Denver, CO.  In 1998, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN.  I am originally from Utica, NE and I enjoy hiking, cycling, camping and gardening in the beautiful outdoors of CO, as well as reading books and creating arts and crafts in my free time.

Mr. Christian Monday

3rd-5th Grade Teacher

I am the 3rd-5th grade teacher at Zion Lutheran Church in Denver, CO. In 2020, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. I am originally from Cincinnati, OH and enjoy longboarding, hiking, and creating art in my free time.

Mr. Michael Schaefer

6-8 Grade Teacher and Principal

I am a Colorado native who graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  Additionally, I have taken several post graduate courses over the years.  I have taught in 2 high schools and 2 grade schools, and I love helping my students grow in all aspects of their lives.   I enjoy gardening and camping in my free time.

Mission Statement

Our mission as a church is reaching out with the message of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, holding on to God’s unchanging Word.

History

Zion Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), and we are located in the southwest area of beautiful Denver, Colorado. The Lord’s abounding grace and His astounding faithfulness tell the real story of Zion Lutheran Church and School. The congregation formed in 1965 when two smaller churches–Calvary Lutheran Church, in the Littleton-Englewood area, and Atonement Lutheran Church, in Lakewood–united and named their new church Zion. Committed to training their children in the Lord’s Word, the members of Zion established a Lutheran elementary school in September 1967. Zion is proud to continue carrying on this tradition of providing Christian education to Jesus’ precious lambs to this day. The Lord has poured out blessing after blessing upon Zion Lutheran Church and School during its existence. He has built His people up in faith and equipped them for lives of service through His Word. He has brought us together and blessed us through the relationships we have developed. And He promises to continue to dwell in us richly through his Word, that we may never stop glorifying Him for His abounding grace and His astounding faithfulness!

Christian Education at Zion Lutheran School

Zion Lutheran Church has been serving Christ and our community since 1965. Providing a Christian education for the children of our congregation and community has always been a priority. In 1967, Zion began a one-room school that has grown into the facility and program we have today. For more information about our school, feel free to drop in, or call our school principal, Mike Schaefer, at 303-985-2334, or visit our website!

CONNECT WITH US

We would love to talk more with you about our Zion family and the ministry we carry out in Jesus’ name. Please click the link below to connect with Pastor Krause, or connect with him at one of our worship services. We look forward to meeting you soon!