Meet Rev. Nathan Grewe, tLMHC, a mental health therapist serving clients in person in Bettendorf, IA and throughout the state of Iowa via telehealth. Having 15 years of experience as a parish pastor, Nathan is keenly aware of the joys and challenges of ministry life and brings that unique perspective to his clients.  

Location:  Bettendorf, Iowa

Email:  [email protected]

Office/Scheduling: 563-359-0696

What is your role at Lutheran Family Service?

I serve as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (tLMHC) and am a member of the Congregational Outreach team.

What drew you to the mental health counseling field?

Honestly, nothing initially! The opportunity was laid before me about three years ago when leaders at LFS expressed their vision of raising up church workers to become mental health counselors. I reflected on the many conversations I had as a pastor and friend and thought, perhaps, I had a good foundation for counseling. Then I found myself in a classroom in Lynchburg, VA, realizing just how much I didn’t know. That moment sparked a deep respect and love for the field of mental health counseling and its unique features. I’ve been all-in ever since.

Tell us a bit about your background and how that contributes to your work at Lutheran Family Service.

Before joining LFS, I served as a full-time pastor at two churches, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rader, MO, and Zion Lutheran Church in Clark, NJ. These were very different calls in very different settings, both shaping who I am today. I later earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University as part of my transition to this new vocation.

Do you have a specialty? 

My main focus right now is working with individuals struggling with anxiety and depression. These are areas where I continue to grow both in experience and education. I’m also beginning to branch out into the fields of addiction and trauma, exploring how I might best support clients facing those challenges.

In addition to my clinical work, I bring a unique lens from my background in ministry. Having spent years as a church worker myself, I’m familiar with the highs and lows that come with serving in that space. I understand the specific pressures church workers and their families often carry. That experience helps me connect with clients in ministry in a way that’s both informed and compassionate, blending my clinical skills with real-life understanding.

How does your faith inform your therapy practice?

A central theme of our faith is suffering. In this broken world, suffering touches all of us. As a counselor, I don’t see my role as eliminating suffering, but rather helping clients understand it, find meaning in it, and respond to it in a healthy, faithful way.

How might someone know when counseling would be a good thing to pursue, church workers in particular?

Do you have a pulse? Then counseling could be a great thing for you. Seriously! Having been in full-time ministry for nearly 15 years, I know how tough it can be, and how isolating and overwhelming it sometimes feels. Counseling gives you a space to process all of that, learn new tools, and just breathe. If any part of your life, your relationships, your health, your peace of mind, isn’t where you want it to be, that’s a good sign it might be time to talk to someone.

How did you come to join the Lutheran Family Service team?

About three years ago, I sat on a couch with two LFS leaders to talk about an opportunity that had been in the works for some time. LFS saw a need to train church workers to become mental health counselors, specifically to support the church worker community. That conversation eventually led me to Liberty University and, by January 2023, I was back in the classroom, beginning this new chapter.

Why is the work you do important?

As the son and grandson of church workers, I like to say I have 40 years of church work experience, and I’m only 40! I’ve seen the blessings and challenges that come with vocational ministry. I believe this work matters because I can truly empathize with those I serve. I’ve walked in their shoes, and I understand the joys and the burdens of ministry life.

How will you live out the mission of LFS, to walk with people as God has been there for us, in your daily work?

God has surrounded me with a wonderful family, including my wife, children, siblings and their families, and parents. We are all living within a two-mile radius for the first time in over two decades. Each day, I strive to walk with others in the same way God walks with me. I strive to show up with presence, compassion, and grace both in my work and in my relationships.

What do you enjoy most about the people you work with?

The people at LFS are genuine. There’s a shared mission here, and everyone truly wants to serve others well. I’ve felt supported, encouraged, and challenged to grow, which is exactly what you’d hope for in a team.

What are you most looking forward to in your ministry journey at Lutheran Family Service?

The field of mental health is vast, and while I feel confident in the foundation I’ve built, I know I still have so much to learn. I look forward to continued growth, expanding both my knowledge and my skillset as I serve in this meaningful and evolving field.

Is there a Bible verse or passage that’s particularly meaningful to you, personally or professionally?

During a sabbatical, I listened to the entire Bible over two weeks while hiking the Appalachian Mountains. It was kind of like binge-watching the greatest story ever told, except with blisters. I came away overwhelmed by how deeply we need grace and how generously God gives it. While I have many favorite verses, my honest answer is always: “All of them.” The overarching message that stood out to me was our constant need for God’s grace and God’s unwavering commitment to provide it. Quite something, indeed.

Anything else you’d like us to know?

I’m just incredibly grateful to be here to be part of this team and part of this mission. Whether you’re a church worker, a parent, a student, or just someone trying to figure things out, I believe we all need a space to be heard and supported. I’m thankful I get to help create that space. I’m also a big Cubs fan, so that can always be a starting point for shared interest or rivalry!

Nathan sees clients via telehealth throughout Iowa and in person in Bettenforf, Iowa. Reach out today.

[email protected] | 563-359-0696 | lutheranfamilyservice.org/contact