NAME: Nathan Gustafson

VITALS:  3/7/1982 – Bellin Hospital in God’s town…Green Bay Wisconsin

FAMILY:   Kristin, my wife, and Nora and Eliza, my two daughters.  Storm is our Lab dog.  My mom and dad (Lyn and Ralph) have had a huge impact on my life and really showed me from a young age what it means to follow Christ.  My Father who was also a pastor has had a huge impact on me in how I do ministry and in fanning the passion that I have to reach out to others for Christ.

What do you love most about working at Cornerstone? 

I absolutely LOVE the people.  I love being in a church that often asks me, “How can we better support you and the youth in our church?”  I love that our church encourages the youth ministry to take risks and do big things to reach the youth of our community.  For instance, from the very beginning people have embraced Explosion with their time, energy, and resources which has allowed that crazy event to soar in building the community of Christ.  I also love the staff here at the church that supports and encourages me to walk with Jesus and to live out my passion.

What or Who Inspires You?

God’s word inspires me.  Singing worship songs inspires me (which I bet no one could ever tell that).  My daughters’ smiles and laughs inspire me.  My wife’s consistent love and awesome kisses inspire me!!  Reading books of other people who have walked closely with God really inspires me.  Some of my favorite authors and speakers who inspire me are Francis Chan, Erwin McManus, Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, C.S. Lewis and so many others.  One book that has deeply inspired me is a short book called Practicing His Presence by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach.  I am also inspired by so many of our youth who are ready to sacrifice their time and energy to free slaves all over the world through organizations like Love146; to fight hunger through World Vision and Feed My Starving Children; and fight spiritual poverty by sharing the love of Jesus through their own story with their friends and inviting friends to church.

Life Long Goal:

To love Jesus and to love others with His love.

Any Hidden Talents? 

I can sing really loud.  I can beat box fairly well.  I can play guitar.   I have amazing dance skills that make others say, “Wow!” (They say wow because of how embarrassed they are for me.)  One of my favorite sayings in life:  “Embrace your inner weirdness.”

Little Known Fact About Me:

I am a huge Packer fan because I grew up in Green Bay.   I played QB at Bethel College.  My wife says “Your Weird…oh wait, everyone knows that.”

FAVORITES:

Book:  Other than the Bible, it’d be Practicing His Presence by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach or Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard.

Movie:  Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Restaurant: Granite City

Food:  Honey Rosemary Steak at Granite City

Splurge: Going to a movie and getting popcorn and candy

Ice Cream: Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard

Song:  The Answer by Shane and Shane

Junk Food:  Snickers

Childhood Memory: As a child I got to travel with my family to the Philippines where my dad did missionary work and I had the chance to live in that amazing atmosphere.  We had crazy rain storms.  We ran into all kinds of lizards and huge insects.  We had pig roasts for our birthday parties.  We traveled around in Jeapanies (buses), and I fell off a water slide and had to go to the emergency room because of a major concussion.  Overall, it was a pretty incredible trip!!