Originally from Mandan, ND, Pastor Sean Barnhart and his family have been at Peace Lutheran since January 2014. After graduating from Mandan High School, Pastor Sean attended the University of North Dakota where he obtained his B.A. in Anthropology. After graduating in 2000, he attended a six week training course in youth ministry and became the full time youth director at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Park River, ND. During his time at Park River, Pastor Sean also served as the Assistant Program Director at Park River Bible Camp.

In 2005, he resigned from Our Saviour’s and Park River Bible Camp in order to attend seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. In 2007, he and Anne were married on Anne’s family farm in Northwood, ND. In January of 2009 Anne gave birth to Jude and shortly after, Pastor Sean graduated from Fuller. The three of them moved back to North Dakota where Sean served as the Director of Ministries at Park River Bible Camp. While there, the family expanded to four with the birth of Julia in 2011.

At the end of 2013, Pastor Sean resigned from Park River Bible Camp to begin his call at Peace Lutheran in January of 2014. Shortly after arriving his family expanded once again with the birth of Elsie. Three years later they introduced Elijah to the congregation.