Originally from Victor, Iowa — the haircut capital of the world, some say — Damen Wesley Jensen-Heitmann is a 2005 graduate of Wartburg College. Following a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA member Damen attended United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities from which he graduated in 2009. He is an ordained member of the United Church of Christ and served for four years as the pastor at First United Church in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Damen came to Hastings, Nebraska in 2014 when he began serving as the Chaplain at Hastings College. In this capacity he leads weekly chapel services, works with student groups, coordinates special events and service trips, sends out silly emails and generally encourages people to consider their place in the universe. While continuing at Hastings College, Damen began working at First Presbyterian Church in August of 2017 where he works with Senior High youth, preaches once a month, engages in college ministry, and helps to facilitate some mission activities.
When not at the college, Damen spends his time keeping the cat (Baloney) from scratching the furniture, playing basketball, doing a bit of writing, and keeping up the old monastic tradition of brewing beer.
