The Rev. John A. Laux was born on October 30, 1959, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He became a child of God and heir of heaven through Holy Baptism on Feb 21, 1960. He was confirmed at the Lutheran Chapel of the Cross in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1973.

Upon graduation from high school in 1977, Pastor Laux enrolled as a student in Concordia College at St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated cum laude in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. After graduation he taught 3^rd – 4^th grade and was the athletic director at Salem Lutheran Church and School, Blue Island, Illinois.

Pastor Laux enrolled as a student in Concordia Theological Seminary at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in June 1983. He completed a year of vicarage at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, Illinois, under the guidance of the Rev. Eldor W. Haake. Upon graduation from the Seminary on May 15, 1987, with a Master of Divinity Degree, the Board of Assignments issued him the call to serve as Assistant Pastor in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, Illinois. In 1989 Pastor Laux became the Associate Pastor at Holy Cross and then in 1997 he was called to be the Senior Pastor of this congregation. Since the death of Pastor Haake in 2001, Pastor Laux has been serving as her sole pastor. During these years he also supervised 14 vicars at Holy Cross.

Pastor Laux was married to Christine Krueger on June 17, 1978. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons. Jacob is 24 with a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Southern California. He is a “struggling” writer. Jared is 23 also with a B.A. from the University of Southern California. He is working for USC in the library system and taking graduate courses in educational administration. Pastor and Mrs. Laux will be living at the parsonage at 1952 East Johns Avenue. May the Lord bless them and his ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, Decatur.