Pastors made a positive mark on Holy Trinity Lutheran, New Prague

Goodbyes are never easy, especially when a person, has invested much into a community and watched it grow. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church’s pastors, Alicia and Ben Hilding, are preparing to bid the congregation and New Prague a fond farewell.

Pastors Alicia and Ben Hilding have accepted a call to serve in a joint role at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. They will serve as dean of Christ Chapel and chaplain of the College beginning June 1. They’ll lead their final worship service at the New Prague church Wednesday, May 21.

The pair received the offer to make the move to their alma mater a few weeks before Easter. Alicia (a 2008 graduate) and Ben (a 2009 graduate) Hilding have worked together for more than 17 years, both within and outside of the church. Their strong commitment to self-awareness and differentiation has made them successful leaders in a shared ministry model.

They bring a track record and passion for providing meaningful worship experiences, spiritual development and faith formation opportunities with strong commitments to ecumenical and interfaith community development.

“Chaplains Alicia and Ben Hilding have a deep sense of appreciation and rootedness both at Gustavus Adolphus College and within the broader landscape of Lutheran Higher Education,” said Grady St. Dennis, associate vice president of Mission and executive chaplain of the Chaplain’s Office. “They have a proven track record in building collaborative partnerships to drive student engagement and an authentic leadership style that instills trust. They consistently curate spiritually inspiring worship experiences...

To see more on this story pick up the May 15, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.