Stepping into a new chapter

Jace Martinez, M.Div. ’26, lived a life on the move for many years – from his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, to the U.S. Army, to Texas State University, to LTSS. So many relocations have given him a special interest in and appreciation for the idea of pilgrimage. 

“Pilgrimage often involves letting go of control, trusting in God's guidance during times of transition and upheaval,” he said. “In my studies at Southern, it is presented as more than a physical journey. It’s a holistic process of transformation, a deep intertwining of spiritual and emotional growth.”

Inspired by a long family history of military service, Martinez left Minnesota to spend six years as a linguist as part of the U.S. Army National Guard in Texas. He was stationed at multiple locations within the United States – Oklahoma, Arizona, California and Texas – in addition to assignments in Germany and Iraq.

“All these moves weren’t framed as spiritual at the time, but in hindsight they felt like a pilgrimage in their own way,” he shared. “I had to adapt, let go of familiar surroundings, separate from my loved ones, and find new ways to connect to my own purpose and the community around me.”

Influenced by his linguistic work for the Army, Martinez also majored in French at Texas State. These experiences brought forth a calling to the ministry that had been seeded in his childhood at Trinity Lutheran Church back in Owatonna, which led to the move he calls the biggest pilgrimage of his life – from Austin, Texas, to Columbia, South Carolina.

“My wife and I had recently gotten married when I said, ‘Hey, seminary is calling,’” he shared. “We didn’t really know what the journey would bring, but we trusted in the process. It felt like we were stepping into a new chapter together, and we’re thankful that God was watching over us the whole time.”