Pastor Olin K. Sletto

Pastor Olin was born and raised on a farm in central South Dakota. He received a B.A. Degree from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D.
He attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. and received a Master’s of Divinity Degree in 1973, and a Master’s of Theology Degree in 1987.
After marriage to Connie (Helland) Sletto in 1972, and graduation from seminary, the Slettos left for one year of French language study in Besancon, France before arriving in the Central African Republic to serve as missionaries.
The Slettos served in Africa from 1974 to 1989. Two children, Carrie and Johann were born in Africa and attended the mission boarding school.
Upon returning from service in Africa in 1989, Pastor Olin became Program Director for French-speaking Africa and Madagascar for the Division for Global Mission of the ELCA. The countries in his area included Senegal, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Madagascar. Pastor Olin left the Division for Global Mission in the summer of 2001, and was installed at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in March 2002.

Pastor Olin received Augustana's honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on May 25, 2008. Pastor Olin has distinguished himself both as a pastor and as a missionary. Devoting 15 years to mission work in the Central African Republic, 12 years to the ELCA church-wide office, and 6 years to parish work, he has spent more than 35 years sharing God's word and hope for the future with congregations and townships worldwide.

In addition to his public ministry, Pastor Olin has demonstrated in a very concrete way his contribution to civilized human existence, building schools, teaching agricultural skills and food preparation, raising money to drill wells, and establishing health centers. The world is a much better place because of his determined and caring work. 

Congratulations to Pastor Olin Sletto

Pastor Olin has published his first children's book, God's Holy Breath. The story illustrates the concept of oral tradition used by the Gbaya people to teach young generations. The Gbaya people live in central Africa and believe that life is breath given by God's Holy Breath. When a baby is born, they receive this Holy Breath. When a loved one dies, their breath goes home to God's Holy Breath. To learn more about the book or to order a copy go to www.godsholybreath.com

Pastor Olin K. Sletto