Hey Midcurrent, I love when the calendar flips to September, school starts again, and life at church returns to some of its normal rhythms. But the honest truth is, a lot of churches (at least in our part of the country) don’t truly start picking up steam until October. Cabins...

Hey Midcurrent, We are just about one month away from one of my favorite Sundays every year–our anniversary. On October 13, Midcurrent will turn SEVEN years old! And not only do I love thinking back on the start of God’s work here, but I love that this is also a...

Hey Midcurrent, Despite the fact that I wish every season was summer break, the inevitable happened today. My kids went back to school. And with Labor Day weekend upon us, it really only means one thing. Summer is over. They say all good things come to an end, and I...

Hey Midcurrent, I know we’re only about halfway through summer, but our team has had our sights set on fall for quite some time now. There’s no way to predict anything with certainty, but all signs point to this fall be a momentous one. And having added three new members...

Hey Midcurrent, I want to thank you for the investment you are making into the next generation of Jesus followers and leaders in the church and in the world. We are fresh off a full week of high energy fun and learning for kids in this community. We had 75 kids signed up...

Hey Midcurrent, If you’ve been at church in the past couple days, then you’ve seen that the whole place is underwater. And no, I’m not talking about any problems because of the rising St. Croix River out our front door. I’m talking about the fact that our entire facility has been transformed into...

Hey Midcurrent, Last fall, we unveiled an exciting new partnership that we (along with two other Hudson churches) are starting with an organization called Together For Good. Together For Good creates pathways for the local church to come alongside vulnerable children and families in their greatest time of need. Together, we will we work to ensure that...

Hey Midcurrent, The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a season for everything. And that is so very true at Midcurrent right now. We are currently in a season of great growth, but also a season of change. Less than a year ago, we added Jonathan to the pastoral team...

Hey Midcurrent, I know you’ve got your hearts set on summer, the end of school, and a day on the beach or at the lake, but there’s two important dates in the next seven days that I do not want you to overlook. Sunday, May 19: This will be Brian Smith’s last Sunday as a...

Hey Midcurrent, It has been so exciting to unveil our plans for our first ever VBS at Midcurrent–an action packed summer adventure camp for kids in this community. I have seen with my own eyes the plans coming together for this week and trust me when I tell you, your kids do not...

We are celebrating, this Sunday, what is quite possibly my favorite thing in the life of the church: baptism. Baptism is a public declaration of someone’s new association with Jesus. If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, baptism is one of the most meaningful next steps you can take.  And for every...

We have ONE simple goal that is the driving force behind just about every single thing we do. It is our aim to create spaces and opportunities where real people and a real God meet….and to help people take another step in a real relationship with Him. Today, I want to highlight a number of those next...

It was such a joy to celebrate Easter together. We welcomed more people through our doors than ever before! As exciting as that was, our hope is that Easter wouldn’t be one of the only times you connect with us. Our calendar will be full this spring–not just with events to keep...

Hey Midcurrent! Yes, it is still March and there is snow on the ground (here in western Wisconsin), but Easter is here! We could not be more thrilled to host three Easter services this Sunday morning, March 31 at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00.  Registration is NOT required, but if you know your plan for...

We have said from Day 1 that we believe youth today are leaders in the world tomorrow. And so we want to do everything we can to invest into the next generation of leaders. That doesn’t apply only to students who attend Midcurrent, but to every student in the very community that we call home. That...

The calendar has officially flipped to March, and (this year) that can mean only ONE thing: Easter is almost here!! I know it feels way too early for Easter, but whether it’s late March or mid April, Easter is one of the most exciting days in the life of any church, and that...

Hey Midcurrent, Since the very beginning, we have had one goal:  To create spaces where real people and a real God meet. In order to figure out how we do that best, this past Sunday, we looked at one of the very first times in Scripture that God’s people created a physical space...

One of the things of which I love to remind people is that God is for us…not against us.  And because God is for us, I want to the world around us to know the we, Jesus followers, are for them too. And I also want to St. Croix Valley to know the Midcurrent is for...

For as long as I’ve been a pastor — almost 15 years now — there’s one request that I often hear from long-time Jesus followers. When it comes to the preaching and teaching in church, some will often desire that it be “deeper.”  They have been following Jesus their whole life, are familiar with all of the stories in...

I have some fun news to share about a check we just got to write! During the month of December, we gave you the opportunity to express generosity beyond the walls of this church to organizations doing God’s work both locally and globally. One of those organizations was a sister-church in Chilé....

We have fully and officially turned the page on 2023. But I still feel compelled to take a moment to pause and to reflect on the year behind us. It was an amazing year full of growth, life change, friendship, connection, community, generosity and so much more. As I reflect on...

Let me start off by wishing you a Happy New Year. 2023 was an amazing year at Midcurrent, and I truly believe there is much more in store for 2024. In fact, we’re hosting what I believe could be the biggest catalyst to the strengthening of your faith this year. It’s called Alpha, and it...

Today I want to express my thanks to each of you who were able to join us for Christmas at Midcurrent. For all who showed up, invited friends and family, and volunteered on one of our ministry teams, you were a part of history at Midcurrent as we welcomed more...

Hey Midcurrent, If you track with the holiday shopping schedule, my guess is that you are aware of the big three: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. What you may or may not be aware of is that, in the last few years, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving got a special...

You may have heard us say a few times now that this has been one of the most momentous seasons in the life of our church. It’s true. And as I think about all that is unfolding, one thing comes to mind. Gratitude. I am grateful to God that He continues to...

Hey Midcurrent, I want to extend a special invitation to you today to join us this coming Sunday as we will take the entire morning to introduce you to an organization called Together For Good. Together For Good creates pathways for the local church to come alongside vulnerable families in...

Hey Midcurrent, My kids saw a Christmas commercial on TV the other night, and all of them screamed out loud, “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet! Why are these people talking about Christmas?!” I’ll be honest, it was a proud dad moment.  Because the reality is, this might be one of the...

This past weekend at Midcurrent was certainly a highlight of the year.  For starters, we held our first ever Men’s Breakfast with just about 50 dudes who gathered together for a hearty breakfast as well as a challenging, and inspiring, talk about integrity.  I think I speak for just about every one of those 50 guys...

We’re rapidly approaching a monumental milestone in the life of Midcurrent Church. Next Sunday, October 15, we are celebrating our 6 year anniversary! It was October 15, 2017, that we opened our doors for the first time ever at Camp St. Croix.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself to see how far we’ve...

Hey Midcurrent, You’ll be glad to know that I did indeed decide to get on my return flight home after a week of fishing in the mountains of Montana. 😉  It was a great dose of medicine for my soul. And now I’m back and ready to roll for what I believe could be...

August is off to a great start! For starters, our staff just attended a two-day leadership conference called the Global Leadership Summit. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we were filled with encouragement, wisdom, and valuable learning for the season of ministry ahead. It...

Hey Midcurrent! I wanted to take a moment to let you know how fun this summer has been so far. Typically, summer attendance takes a dip in this part of the country. And while that has proved true this summer at Midcurrent, here’s what has also been true. We have welcomed so...

Hey Midcurrent! I know it’s not officially summer yet, but it’s about as close as we can get. It’s almost June. Temperatures are rising, and the outdoors are calling. If you’re anything like my family, you’re already dreaming about all the fun you’ll have this summer. And as you start...

Hey Midcurrent! I’ve got some exciting news to share with you. Last night, our MC Partners officially (and unanimously) confirmed Jonathan Maley as our new associate pastor of youth and discipleship!  I won’t get into all the details right now, but I will say this: This is a big deal! With MC...

I got an email this week from someone expressing their gratitude for the church we have created here in the St. Croix Valley. She shared how much her family actually looks forward to church every Sunday, which was a true answer to her prayers. She then shared a few magical...

If you haven’t heard or seen yet, the St. Croix River has flooded right up to our door step. The river view from my office gets better and better every single day!! 😉 Ok…all jokes aside, it is a pretty crazy scene out in front of church and we have...

Easter at Midcurrent was so special this year. So let me say THANK YOU to each of you who joined us. You truly were a part of a historical Sunday at Midcurrent. For starters, you were there to take part in a celebration of the greatest event in the history of...

I’m certain that you’ve heard us say it before, but the ONE thing we are all about is creating spaces for real people and a real God to meet. We truly hope Midcurrent is a meeting place for you and God every time you walk through our front door. At...

Hey Midcurrent, I’ve got some real exciting news to share with your today about one of the most important environments we create every single week: MC Kids.  Lexi Vossen has just accepted the offer to join our staff as the new MC Kids Director!! Her training in the world of...

Hey friends, As I reflect on this past year, I am truly in awe of all that God has done within this place that we call Midcurrent!  Each year in our short five year history has been significant, but there is no denying it–2022 was special. We saw continued growth at a time when church growth...

Hey Midcurrent, I’m sitting in my office, looking out over the St. Croix River, and watching more snow fall–the beginnings of what is supposed to be a lot more snow!! And I am praying for clear skies on Friday because we have such a special evening in store for you, your friends,...

Hey Midcurrent, The next 30 days include some of the most anticipated days of the entire year. And I want to make sure you know what those special days will look like here at Midcurrent. So let me fill you in on three dates. 1.  December 23–Christmas Eve Eve. You...

Hey Midcurrent! Thanksgiving is now less than 24 hours away (or maybe it’s already passed if you don’t open your email first thing Wednesday morning–anxiously awaiting my midweek update).  And I know for many of us, this week is one in which we are extra mindful of all that we have to be thankful...

This past Sunday, I delivered the one message you’ve all been waiting for–the one message people look forward to all year long. It’s the most requested topic at Midcurrent today.  You have all been begging me, and pleading with me to talk about this one thing in church. And so I finally gave the talk that everyone was asking for....

Hey Midcurrent! One of the exciting things about hitting the five-year mark as a young church plant is that we have hit the point in time where church membership is now an option for those of you who truly call Midcurrent home. And here at Midcurrent, we refer to membership...

Hey Midcurrent! Consider this midweek email your VIP invitation to a very special celebration this Sunday. Midcurrent is turning FIVE!! It’s hard for me to believe, but five years ago this very weekend, we opened the doors of Midcurrent Church for the first time ever.  It almost brings tears to my eyes to think...

Hey Midcurrent! In his message on Sunday, Pastor Sten said that we can be completely surrounded by people, and still feel lonely. Have you ever found that to be true? I know I have. No matter what season or walk of life we find ourselves in, all of us have the desire to...

Hey Midcurrent! I know you’re probably asking yourself, “Grand Opening??? Hasn’t the new building been open for the last month?” And you’d be right, it has been. But this Sunday will be special. Here’s why: We have all the kinks worked out in our new home. We now have a second service which will create more...

You’ve heard by now that, starting on September 11th, we’ll be adding a second service on Sunday morning. We’ll soon be gathering at 9:00am and 10:30am. I for one am thrilled about the next step and next season in our life as a church. But I recognize some of you may...

After five years of setting up and tearing down every single Sunday, and about five months of construction in downtown Hudson, the time has finally come for us to open the doors to a home of our very own. And we could not be more excited! This Sunday will be our FIRST...

Hey Midcurrent, This past Sunday was a bittersweet moment as we held our very last service at Camp St Croix–the very first place we ever called home. It was a day full of emotions, logistics, and details, and I’m not quite sure any of it has really sunk in for me yet. I’m sure...

Hey Midcurrent! If I had to guess, I’d say most of you are asking the very same question right now. When do we move into the new building?  Am I right? Is this not the ONE thing you really want to know? Well, I am excited to rollout for you...

Hey Midcurrent! It’s not every day that a 5-year church plant gets to call a permanent space “home,” and yet, that is exactly what we will be able to do before the end of the Summer! I can hardly wait to see the front doors of Midcurrent swing open, not...

There’s a lot of talk about our new building these days…and rightfully so!  It is coming along in ways that surprise even me. I stopped in this week to see sheet rock up on every single wall giving shape to the very rooms and hallways we will soon be filling...

Hey Midcurrent, It finally feels like summer is in the air! I don’t know about you but I can hardly wait for everything that comes along with that – walks outside, swimming, ice cream and barefoot kids running around. There’s something about summer that is magical for every age, but...

You may have noticed that it is pretty full at church these days. In fact, you may be wondering, “Do they even realize how full and crowded it really is?”  Here’s the answer: yes, we do. We see it, and feel it, and experience it every Sunday. We know we...

Hey everyone, Midcurrent was alive this past Sunday! Could you feel it?  Not only did we celebrate that Jesus was alive, but we also witnessed a powerful video story of the new life in Christ that is being born in the lives of people right here in our own community...

As if you needed a reminder that this year is flying by fast…here is your reminder that Easter is just a few days away!! With all of the growth we’ve experienced over the last few months, and in anticipation of all the guests we expect to walk through our doors...

Hey Midcurrent, If you have been around for the past month or so, you have experienced all the fullness, energy, and excitement of our Sunday morning worship experiences. The whole MC staff keeps saying the same thing, “It has been so fun!” It’s true. It really has been so much...

Hey Midcurrent, I’m writing to you today regarding a significant milestone in our life as a church. This June, Midcurrent will be officially welcomed as a full standing, member congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church! So then, you might ask, what exactly have we been for the last four years??...

Hey Midcurrent! A few days have already passed, but I am still smiling at the thought of all we celebrated on Sunday. We had the opportunity to dedicate 15 kids to Lord! That’s 15 kids we dedicated to God’s care and to God’s service in the world. And that’s a...

Hey Midcurrent! I almost have to pinch myself whenever I say this out loud, but I could not be more thrilled to announce that construction has officially begun on our new home downtown!  It’s not the most glamorous of work, yet–mostly demolition, clean up, and project preparation. And we won’t...

Hey Midcurrent, With each passing day in 2022, we are one day closer to a potential start date for construction on our new building downtown. As a result, let me give you a few updates on where things stand.  Fundraising Goal As we unveiled this exciting new project in the...

This past Sunday we all learned an important lesson: Four of a Kind beats a Full House every singe time. And, no, I wasn’t giving out Poker tips. I did, however, teach on a touching passage of scripture from the book of Mark.  Four friends carried their paralyzed friend to...

Hey Midcurrent, The week after Christmas is a weird one. It’s hard to remember what day it is, and it can be hard to get back into the groove. On top of that, many people experience what is referred to as the post-Christmas blues. All the excitement and activity is...

I don’t know about you, but this time of year is CRAZY for me. December is always nuts when you work in a church. On top of that, I’m helping lead the Raise ‘Em Up building campaign through some vital stretches of the process right now. And on the home...

Hey Midcurrent! I just walked out of a meeting about the current state of our next home and our Raise ‘Em Up building campaign. And as the saying goes, there’s some good news and some bad news. I’ll start with the good news. We have selected a general contractor!! Typically,...

I’m sitting in Dunn Brothers as I write, and it is full-on Christmas in here. I love it! They’ve had the Christmas cups for a while now (clearly they are in the pre-Thanksgiving-Christmas-celebration camp), but now they have all the trees and ornaments and hanging wreaths. Ready or not, Christmas...

Hey Midcurrent! Part of my job as a leader is to constantly paint a picture of the future–a picture of where God is leading. Often times that results in me speaking about what could be, but may not be yet–the people we have not yet reached, the dreams we have...

Hey Midcurrent! By this time every year, one of the most heated debates resumes. And no, I’m not talking about Starbucks or Caribou? I’m not talking about coffee or tea (does anyone really like tea?). I’m not even talking about Vikings or Packers? I’m talking about Christmas music and whether...

Hey Midcurrent! Here’s a quick update for you on our current building campaign. We currently have just shy of $400,000 pledged to raising up the walls of our new home! That is such incredible news and we are soooooo close to reaching our goal. But, we’re not there yet. I know there...

Hey Midcurrent! I am always anxious for another Sunday for all of us to be together. But I am especially anxious for this coming Sunday. I’m am hoping it will be the first tidal-wave sized surge of momentum in our Raise ‘Em Up building campaign. Almost two weeks ago, we...

Hey Midcurrent! This past Sunday was a big one. Not only did we celebrate turning four years old as a church, but it was also a pivotal week 3 in our series and building campaign Raise ‘Em Up. I read a captivating few verses from chapter 3 in the story...

Hey Midcurrent! As I sit down to write today, we are less than 24 hours away from the calendar flipping to October 15. What is so special about that date you may wonder? Let me tell you. Four years ago, on October 15, 2017, we opened the doors of Midcurrent...

On more than one occasion over the past year, I’ve pointed out the fact that Midcurrent continues to grow. But it has dawned on me that I haven’t taken as much time to point out the fact that our staff continues to grow as well!  Some have been hired-part time. And...

A few weeks back, I mentioned the possibility that Camp St. Croix might no longer be available to us beginning this September. A number of you have since asked, “Sten, what’s the deal with Camp St. Croix?” It’s a great question. You deserve an update. And I can finally provide...

Hey Midcurrent! Not even six months ago, we stepped up to the plate, took a swing, and (honestly, much to our surprise) knocked one out of the park! What exactly am I referring to?? I’m talking about MC YOUTH!! Truthfully, COVID halted any bit of momentum from the smallest beginnings...

When I look around church these days, it dawns on me that we have a really great problem on our hands. There are a lot of people I don’t recognize!! 🙂 Despite the unique year we just experienced in the church, we are still seeing new people walk through our...

Hey Midcurrent! I truly hope you are enjoying these summer months. I, for one, have had a whirlwind month of July. I’ve spent the month doing three things primarily: speaking, vacationing, and praying.  The month began with me speaking for a week (twice a day!!!) for a couple hundred people at a...

A recent study by the Barna research group found that one-in-three practicing Christians have stopped attending church during COVID-19. They defined “practicing Christians” as those who “identify as Christian, agree strongly that faith is very important in their lives and attend church at least monthly (prior to COVID).”  Among this group of...

It’s seems like a year ago at this time, we were making weekly updates about COVID-19 and it’s ever-changing influence on the life of our church. Thankfully that season of unending updates and pivot came to a close. But now some 12 months later, we wanted to take a moment...

Hey Midcurrent, Have you ever noticed how many National something Days there are?  I’ll admit, many of these seem silly to me. There are, however, a few I can get excited about. For instance, National Donut Day. Who wouldn’t be excited for that?! What about National Pancake Day? Come on…that’s good!...

Hey Midcurrent, You ever have a week when you just feel kind of…blaah?? That’s how I’ve been feeling this week. The temperatures dropped significantly from a couple weeks ago. The sun hasn’t shown its face in what feels like forever. Snowflakes were even flying a day ago!  And on top of...

I wish you could see my face as I write this email because I am still smiling about Easter at Midcurrent. We checked in a record number of kids (almost 100 in total), hosted more adults in our worship experience than ever before, and we saw a notable increase to...

Hey Midcurrent! Easter is just a few days away, and I could not be more excited about what we have planned for you. I have been praying that many people would walk through our doors or join us online. But most of all, I have been praying that God would...

Hey Midcurrent! I just spent the morning discussing all sorts of details for Easter at Midcurrent. And I wish I could devote this entire email to tell you why I am so excited and why you need to be there! But I’ll have to save that email for next week...

Hey Midcurrent! There is an announcement I have been wanting to make so badly over the last month. The difficult part was the confirmation we were still waiting for, as well as the final t’s needing to be crossed and i’s needing to be dotted. So I had to hold...

Hey Midcurrent! This past Sunday, I stopped downstairs into MCKIDS while we were prepping Camp St. Croix for church that morning. My daughter, Lucy, was standing in front of a giant piece of paper taped to the wall with a marker in her hand. She was preparing an activity for...

Hey Midcurrent! For two Sundays in a row, just last month, neither Erica nor I were at Midcurrent assuming our typical roles for the morning. But this past Sunday, both of us were back at it–me preaching upstairs and Erica teaching in MCKIDS downstairs. Erica will admit, she was nervous....

Hey Midcurrent! If you’ve been around for the last couple weeks, you know that I haven’t been. But after a week of some rest and relaxation with my family, I’m excited to say, “I’m back!!!” But before I get too far ahead of myself, let me first pause and say...

Hey friends! I am currently reviewing all things 2020 at Midcurrent. And despite the constant uncertainty of the year behind us, one of the things I am so mindful of is your continued faithfulness and generosity to God’s work at Midcurrent. Sure, Midcurrent looked and felt different last year. And...

Hey Midcurrent! If you were able join us last week, in-person or online, you might be interested to know that I am writing this update from my home office…nervously anticipating one of my kids to come peak through the double doors interrupting me while I work. (Ok, I promise I...

It’s is hard to imagine that we are nearing the end of the year. And what a wild year it has been!! With everything we have experienced in the world, things in the Church world have looked a bit different. Church interest, engagement, and attendance have all been affected. In...

Whether you grew up in church or not, you may know that the four weeks leading up to Christmas is known as the season of Advent. That all started this past weekend. In the Carlson home, we kicked off this season in the same we have for the last few...

This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to support families right here in the St. Croix Valley who need a little extra assistance to ensure that the things their kids need, and wished for, are under the tree this Christmas.  I’m not gonna lie, I was nervous that we bit...

I can’t even count, over the last few months, how many times I’ve asked myself “I wonder if __________ is open right now?” These days, it’s a totally valid question as our communities continue to adapt and navigate to the realities we are experiencing. Well, I don’t want any of...

Hey Midcurrent! Every summer, my mom’s entire side of the family spends a week at a Bible camp in Michigan. Each winter, the camp reveals the summer theme for the new season. Last winter, they revealed the theme for the upcoming summer of 2020. It was Into the Unknown. Little did they...

In less than a week now, it will be…drum roll please….. Election Day! Who is excited?! Anyone hosting a watch party and inviting everyone they know?!? Ok, let’s be honest… that’s not happening. Most of us can’t even watch Viking/Packer games together let alone watching the most divisive election in...

Hey Midcurrent! This last Sunday, we celebrated three years since we first opened the doors of our church! Whether you were with us in-person or online, we were so glad to have you a part of all the excitement for this incredible milestone. I think my favorite part of the...

I woke up this morning and checked the time on my cell phone. It was 6:00am–a pretty typical time for me to roll out of bed. Nothing special there. But there was one other measurement of time that did catch my attention. Just below the time on the home screen...

I want to keep you as informed as possible as we continue to navigate church life together this fall. By now, you may have heard that the state of Wisconsin issued a mandate to limit indoor gatherings to 25% of the room capacity. Although churches are exempt from that mandate,...

We’re two weeks into holding church in-person AND online, and I just wanted to take a moment this week to say, “Thank you!” Thank you for hanging in there with us throughout the last six months. Thank you for your prayers for my family and for our church family. Thank...

It may have been like no fall kick-off we have ever experienced before, but I for one was excited to see what took place last Sunday. We gathered in-person and online as ONE church to set our hearts and minds on God and the ways He is moving in our...

Hey Midcurrent, This is it!! Our doors are opening at Camp St. Croix once again this Sunday morning at 10:30am, and we are incredibly excited to welcome you back and to be together again! I want to let you know that we are not choosing to meet together again because we are...

Hey Midcurrent!  I turned my back for one second, and just like that… it’s sweatshirt weather! Now I’m never one to wish summer away, but I will admit, I do like the changing of the seasons. There is a lot to like about fall, and for many of us there is comfort in routine and the...