Honoring Pastor Michele Engh at the Governor’s Year of the Neighbor Celebration
Pastor Michele Engh was recognized by Governor Tony Evers at the Governor’s "Year of the Neighbor" celebration. The honor highlights her continued commitment to community service, both through her pastoral ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church and her civic leadership across the region.
A Focus on Community and Service
Pastor Michele Engh with husband Pete and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
In February 2026, Governor Evers officially declared 2026 as the "Year of the Neighbor" in Wisconsin, focusing statewide attention on core values of kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion.
"I want us to focus on our Wisconsin values of kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion," Governor Evers stated when declaring the initiative. "I’m declaring 2026 the Year of the Neighbor, because we could all use a good neighbor, and we could all be better neighbors. And we’re going to spend the next year celebrating the neighbors who make Wisconsin the great place it is to call home."
The initiative honors individuals across the state who work to support their communities, ranging from first responders and teachers to local helpers and volunteers who step up during challenging times.
Leadership In and Out of the Pulpit
Pastor Michele’s work reflects these principles of neighborly service. Outside of her congregational duties, she serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for River 2 Ridge Disaster Resilience (R2RDR), a regional organization dedicated to long-term disaster recovery, flood mitigation, and community resilience in Southwest Wisconsin. Her background includes extensive involvement in violence prevention, economic stability efforts, youth work, and emergency response initiatives.
Shared Gratitude
Following the event, Pastor Michele expressed her appreciation for her congregation and the broader community:
"Christ shared a message of love of all. That is what Immanuel is doing. I am proud to walk with Immanuel and they deserve this as much as me... I am pleased to represent you!"
Congratulations to Pastor Michele Engh on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your ongoing ministry and leadership!
