The Pacific Region of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren is a group of 19 congregations in the states of Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.  

 

When I think of our region two words come to mind: beauty and diversity. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). Whether in times of joy or trial, the church is at its best when we love and serve one another out of our reverence to Christ. As Regional Pastor, I have the privilege of witnessing and facilitating this kind of ministry throughout the Pacific Region. Our region also has the widest geographic reach to places like Buda, Texas and Nampa, Idaho. From the Pacific Ocean, Cascade mountains, and desert southwest, the beauty of God’s creation in the Pacific Region testifies to glory of God. 

 

Church planting is in our DNA as a region. Like a rock skipping across the pond, church after church was planted along the Washington Interstate-5 corridor, beginning at Rock of Ages in Seattle, then Lynnwood, Sammamish, Everett, Marysville, and places father north during the 1960’s and 70’s. Church planters in our region like Harland & Mabel Helland, Joe & Estelle Rangen, Joel & Barbara Egge, and Bob & Sally Overgaard established a legacy of healthy congregations. 

 

Along with the beauty of our region and churches, there is also great diversity in our congregations. House churches, such as Generation Church and Desert Rose in the Phoenix area provide a more intimate church body experience. Churches such as Immanuel LBC in both Pasadena and Eugene, Maple Park in Lynnwood, and Rock of Ages in Seattle testify to the long standing tradition and influence of the Lutheran Brethren on the west coast for over 50 years. Ministries like “The Call” at Rock of Ages and “Vespers” at Maple Park testify to a new generation of ministers who God is raising up to worship and proclaim Christ to our communities.  

 

Our mission as a region today remains as unchanged and glorious as the Gospel itself: to bring the Good News to anyone who would listen. We will continue to fulfill this ministry by supporting the local congregations, caring for our pastors and elders, partnering together in ministry, upholding one another in prayer. To God be the Glory!