Pastor Salminen was born in Lansing, MI in 1959. He has graduated from: Concordia University—Ann Arbor, MI with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982; Concordia Seminary—St. Louis, MO with the Master of Divinity degree in 1986; the University of Toledo and Michigan State University in 1988 with the Master of Education degree; and St. Louis University in 1994 with the Doctor of Philosophy degree. He is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family therapy.  He has served congregations in Ohio and Illinois. He also served as professor both at Concordia University (Ann Arbor, MI) and Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, MI). He is also the author of numerous articles, as well as two books: No Ordinary Men (©Concordia

Publishing House 2000) and a new book on divorce from the Lutheran Laymen’s League. He and his wife Casey are also co-founders and developers of Zoe (www.zoescore.com), an on-line premarital counseling program. The Salminens have three children: Lauren, David, and Michael.