Meet your Bishop
The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
The Reverend Deborah K. Hutterer was elected as bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod in 2018 and re-elected in 2024, serving six-year terms. As bishop, she provides spiritual and administrative leadership, overseeing preaching, teaching, and the administration of the sacraments. She ordains and installs rostered ministers of Word and Sacrament and Word and Service, while also offering pastoral care to both ministers and congregations. Bishop Hutterer guides the resolution of conflicts and disciplinary matters within the synod. She is a dedicated advocate for the mission and theology of the ELCA, fostering relationships with Lutheran churches worldwide and engaging with Christian leaders and ecumenical partners throughout the synod.
Bishop Hutterer was ordained in 2004. She earned a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Augsburg University. She is a life-long Lutheran brought to the denomination by default and stayed by choice. Growing up one mile from her church in St. Paul, Minnesota, she would often take the bus to church, and spend as much time there as she could. It was there that she experienced Christian community. This is where she heard Jesus’ call to ministry, but was told women couldn’t be pastors. Later in life that call was rekindled, which led her to congregational service, Lutheran college, seminary and ordination to the public ministry.
Prior to her ordination, Hutterer created and launched two businesses, worked in the insurance industry, and held many positions at Augsburg College, including Peace Prize Forum Coordinator, collaborating with the Midwest Lutheran colleges to promote peace education and collaboration with the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Nobel Peace Laureates and college students.
Hutterer has served in several ministry settings. She served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pontiac, Illinois, from 2004 to 2007. She was executive director of Faith in the City in Minneapolis from 2008 to 2012. She was Chief Development Officer of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) from 2012 to 2018.
As Chief Development Officer at LSS-SW, she traveled extensively throughout Arizona preaching, presiding, or presenting at many congregations and ministry groups on topics such as refugee resettlement, child abuse prevention, and aging.
In October, 2020, she was elected to the executive committee of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Her leadership experience in faith-based nonprofits and higher education broadened her awareness and appreciation for God’s multi-faceted ministry working with colleagues, congregations, ecumenical and interfaith partners.
Personal and professional challenges have caused Hutterer to grow and constantly pushed her to trust the promise of death, resurrection, and new life. As she journeys through this call as bishop, she trusts God’s leadership, guidance, and presence, and calls you to join her, using all of the gifts each of us has to be Jesus in the world today. In 2011 she lost her husband, Gary Erickson, to ALS. In May, 2019, Deborah married Reverend Alan Field. She has two adult children, Mitch Hutterer and Marissa Machado, and who reside in Minnesota with her five grandchildren.
You can contact Bishop Hutterer at 602-957-3223 or dhutterer@gcsynod.org.
Click here to download a photo of the Bishop in high resolution.
As we prepare to gather for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, my heart is full of gratitude and hope. This year’s theme, “Build Up the Body,” reminds us that our ministries are not isolated efforts but woven together in God’s greater design for the church and the world. Each of you brings a unique voice, gift, and presence that strengthens our shared mission as the body of Christ.
We gather in Las Vegas at Community Lutheran Church for our 37th synod assembly. Whether you are attending as a voting member, a ministry partner, or a visitor, you are part of a Spirit-led community that believes God is not done with the church.
Let us be bold and courageous in speaking for justice, compassionate in amplifying voices often unheard, and steadfast in proclaiming God’s grace through actions that heal and reconcile.