Vicar Ryan Halter

It is my joy and privilege to serve here at Christ Alone as a Vicar! What is a Vicar? It’s a student who is serving in ministry under the direction of the pastors at the church. So, that basically means I’m still a student at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary here in Mequon, but I’m not attending classes there; I’m learning how to do pastoral ministry here at Christ Alone for a year, from July until June. I consider myself especially blessed to have the privilege of serving God’s people here at Christ Alone, and also to be able to serve with Pastors Ebert and Brown.

Over this special year of ministry, I will get the privilege of serving you by preaching, leading worship, teaching catechism and other Bible studies, visiting you in your homes and at the hospital, helping with teen and campus ministry, and leading Chapel at Christ Alone Lutheran School. I’m excited to work with you and get to know you!

Although most Vicars are usually a bit younger, I took a scenic path towards becoming a pastor. After graduating from Prior Lake High School in Minnesota, I spent a few years doing odd jobs and attending community college. Finally, after some great advice from my Grandparents, I began attending Martin Luther College to study for the ministry, where I graduated in 2011. I continued my education at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary for two years, but ultimately decided on a different path to teaching. I graduated from Concordia University in Mequon in 2017 with a Master’s in Education. Altogether, I  spent 12 years serving two schools in Milwaukee: Mt. Lebanon Lutheran School and Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School. However, over the past few years, I have received steady encouragement to return and complete my training as a pastor. So, in the fall of 2024, I returned to the Seminary to complete my final year of coursework and, at the age of 40, was assigned here to Christ Alone to serve as a Vicar. God willing, I will be assigned to serve at another congregation permanently in May 2026. Until then, I relish the opportunity to be amongst God’s people here at Christ Alone.

My wife, Tracy (nee Venus), and I were married in 2011. We have six amazing and rambunctious boys: Phinehas (7), Uriah (5), Japheth (3), Ananias (1), and our twins, Titus and Timothy (Born Aug 2025). When we are not preoccupied with chasing after them (which, frankly, is quite rare), Tracy and I enjoy frequenting Wisconsin’s amazing supper clubs and catching up on Netflix. Personally, I love history and enjoy learning as much as I can about it. I also enjoy reading (especially true crime) and cooking. Still, far and away my favorite thing to do is study God’s Word. I love discovering what he has to say and sharing it with everyone I can. I pray God allows me to have that opportunity with you.  

God Keep You!

– Vicar Ryan Halter