Mark Hanson

Mark S. Hanson (born December 2, 1946) is an American bishop and former Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He served as the third Presiding Bishop and was also the 11th President of the Lutheran World Federation. Hanson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a Lutheran family. His father was a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He completed his bachelor's degree in sociology from Augsburg University before earning a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary. Hanson has also served as the bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod and pastor of several Minnesota congregations including Prince of Glory Lutheran Church, Edina Community Lutheran Church, and University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis.