Monte Knetter
Elder Executive Board Chairman
Like many that grew up in a Christian home, I went through a period in my late teens and early twenties wherein I had to grapple with if and how I was going to live out my faith. In my teens the Lord led me into (short-term) missions, which challenged me to communicate my testimony and beliefs across cultural and linguistic lines; this also challenged me to work hard on behalf of people I didn’t know. In my twenties the Lord led me to our deep and rich Christian heritage—there I found stories of love and sacrifice, books full of wisdom and insight, and examples of courage and faithfulness that I still draw guidance and strength from.
Beginning in my late teenage years I began to sense that God was calling me into ministry. For a while I thought He was calling me into missions, but after my education was complete He opened the door for me to serve in Christian education, where I now have been for nearly a decade and a half. What is more, I was born in Madison, graduated from high school at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, and attended the University of Wisconsin here in Madison. I wanted and expected to move out of this community I had spent my whole life in, but after a short stint in northern Wisconsin I find myself continuing to live and serve in a community that I have deep, deep roots in. I love this community, and while I am still slightly surprised to find myself serving as an Elder, I am so thankful that I get to serve at High Point Church, a church that has a vision for God’s kingdom that far exceeds its four walls. It is an honor and joy for me to serve our church and King in the role of Elder.
My wife and our five children live in Sun Prairie. In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking, hiking, gardening, and traveling.