Pastor Michael Zarling

Pastor Michael Zarling has served for 28 years in the pastoral ministry. He served 8 years as a home missionary in Radcliff, KY. He had served 16 years at Epiphany in Racine. In 2020, Epiphany and New Hope Lutheran Churches merged to become Water of Life Lutheran Church with Racine and Caledonia campuses. Pastor Zarling has been serving as the pastor for Water of Life since the merger in November of 2020. He also serves as one of the pastors at Wisconsin Lutheran School in Racine and the chairman of the Southeastern Wisconsin District Mission Board for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

Pastor Zarling has been blessed to be married to his best friend, Shelley, for 30 years. They have four beautiful daughters. Abi is a special needs aide in the Kenosha School District. Abi is married to Brandon. Miriam is a Second Lieutenant and the Equipment Specialist at the Wisconsin Army National Guard Surface Maintenance Office at Camp Douglas. Miriam is engaged to Mark. Lydia is finishing her studies at the University of Dubuque to become a commercial airline pilot. Belle is a senior at Shoreland Lutheran High School and has committed to Concordia Lutheran University to become an athletic trainer and play soccer for her college.

Pastor Zarling is the author of “Resisting the Dragon’s Beast: What Happens When God’s Servant of the Government Behaves Like Satan’s Servant.” Pastor Zarling is an avid cyclist who has logged several single-day 100-mile bike rides. Some people believe he also has an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars. He believes it is a very healthy obsession.