Local pastor reaches out to the community, touching the lives of those around him.
The pastor looks down, his shiny bald head lowered in a sign of respect. He confidently prays out the names of the sick, troubled, and those struggling in the community. The nodding heads of the congregation, both young and old, follow the names spoken before them.
Some members occasionally look up as the names of friends and family are spoken, silently lifting up prayers of their own. Quiet whispers rise and fall from the back of the congregation, a baby stirs, but the stream of prayers remains unbroken.
The pastor finishes the prayer with a resounding amen, echoed quickly by the members of the church. He pauses for a moment, smiles at his wife and daughters, gaining assurance from their presence, then continues the sermon.
The sermon ends with a toe-tapping hymn led by the floor to ceiling organ, it’s booming notes echoing in the ears of the congregation as they exit the narthex. There the pastor waits by the door, greeting the members of the church by name as they leave.
The pastor’s caring nature is evident, no new face leaves without being greeted, and no old face can escape an endearing smile and a hello.
After wishing the final individual goodbye, Pastor Jeremy Lucke makes his way down the hall to join those who have stayed to enjoy coffee and a small lunch in the fellowship hall. He pauses for a moment, surveying the tables full of congregation members, his congregation members.
Pastor Lucke has been a pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Philomath, Oregon for over three years now, and much has changed since his arrival. When he traveled to Oregon in 2013 with his wife Alicia and daughter Kaia, he arrived to find an atmosphere far different from the one he was used to at Grace Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I attended seminary at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri. After graduating I worked at Grace Lutheran Church before moving to Oregon.”
When Lucke, 38, arrived in Oregon, he was tasked with pastoring a congregation that had seen its attendance take a drop in recent years.
“Peace Lutheran is a family, it contains some of the kindest members of the community, the next task was to push that kindness into the community.”
Pastor Lucke was quick to put down roots in the community at large, reaching out to school staff and local businesses, offering prayer and the use of the church building.
“We have hosted the Chamber of Commerce meeting here at Peace, as well as hosted local events such as the National Night Out.”
City planners, the fire chief, even the Philomath superintendent have had an opportunity to speak following the service, all in an attempt by Lucke to bring the community closer together.
Peace Lutheran’s parish Nurse, Gayle Taylor, said, “I have felt comfortable involving Pastor Lucke with the health problems presented in the congregation and my opinions and suggestions for caring for them. I appreciate his sensitivity and concern for the people of the church---and of the community at large--and his approach to those in need. “
Part of Lucke’s outreach has been geared toward the youth of the community, reaching out to struggling teens and even showing up at the local high school from time to time.
“I have worked with community members in need, encouraging, counseling, and fostering one on one relationships.”
Since their arrival in Philomath, the Lucke family has welcomed a second daughter, Claire, into the world. She joins the large group of children that attend Sunday School on Sunday mornings. Although this outreach has had success, Pastor Lucke hopes to increase attendance of youth.
“I would love to see Peace Lutheran become more youth orientated and continue being a positive place for kids to grow”
His involvement with youth speaks for itself, Lucke donates many hours to Camp Lutherwood and conducts chapel at Zion Lutheran in Corvallis.
It is obvious the pride in which the Peace Lutheran attendees have in their pastor. Elaine Schwartz said “Pastor Lucke has improved the relationship between the members of Peace Lutheran and the other churches in the community. He also does an excellent job of reaching out into the community with service.”
Since his arrival, attendance has been steadily growing at Peace Lutheran, and it shows few signs of plateauing. Larry Oliver said “ I do see that people at Peace have a much more positive outlook toward the future. There seems to be an attitude of 'we can' rather than “I don’t see how we can” and there is an enthusiasm that I didn’t see before he came. That enthusiasm is credited to Pastor Lucke and his positive outlook.”
At a Glance
Jeremy Lucke
Occupation; Pastor
Claim to fame: Pastor who took a less attended church and revitalized it
Age: 35
Education: Gonzaga University, Concordia Seminary
Family: Wife Alicia, daughters Kaia and Claire
Past employment: Grace Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church
Contact Info:
Email-pastorlucke@gmail.com
Phone-(541)609-8057
Links:
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