Our Pastor

The Rev. Van Lahmeyer

I grew up in the reformed tradition in the Evangelical and Reformed Denomination. At some point in my childhood the name was changed to the United Church of Christ. My theology from youth has been grounded in reverence for the Word of God, belief in the sovereignty and goodness of God, and confidence that it is by grace alone that we have life and that through faith in Christ.

My faith was much in my head until I went to college (mostly to play basketball) there I discovered in the lives of some of my peers a living, vibrant, and exciting heart faith, which was contagious. Upon graduation I had a degree to teach Physical Education K-12 but no real heart to do so. A friend pointed me to Fresno, California where the 1st Presbyterian Church was hiring summer youth workers, it was there that I discovered my call to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. I followed the Senior Pastor Dr Paul Pierson to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA where he was installed as the Dean of the School of World Mission and I was enrolled as a student.

Over the next five years I studied at Fuller and traveled. During this time I lived a year in Scotland and Six months in Phoenix developing gifts in leadership and evangelism. Upon graduation from Fuller, I was called as an associate pastor to Knox Presbyterian Church of Spokane, WA where I started working with children and youth. Over the next five years my responsibilities expanded until I felt God’s call to mission work in Scotland. We (at that time a family of three) raised financial and prayer support before moving to Tullibody with a mission organization called Alongside Ministry.

There I learned much of depending on God and listening as I was asked to develop small groups, provide pastoral care, serve as the chaplain for 4 schools, preach weekly, and provide training and encourage healing for a badly split session. Although a missionary I served very much in the role of an associate pastor as I was under the authority of the Kirk Session and the Sterling Presbytery as I worked alongside the pastor of the parish within the Church of Scotland. While in Scotland our second daughter (Fiona) was born in Sterling Royal Hospital.

Early in 1995 I was called as pastor to White River Presbyterian Church in Auburn, WA.. The church was mostly gray and longing for youth. They were worried about their future after having been on a flat line for 25 years. Over our years there we grew together developing some wonderful lifetime friendships.

In July of 1996 my wife Julie and I were in an accident while returning to Auburn with some college youth from a conference. Julie and another girl were killed and two of us were badly injured. In the midst of deep loss I experienced the abundant grace and love of God and of God’s people. We were upheld wonderfully in prayer. Over the next year my three children Joe then 9 Margaret then 6 and Fiona 2 grieved and healed as I again took up my responsibilities as pastor and redoubled my time as father.

A year later God brought Juliet, a wonderful young lady from England into our lives. We had a very distant connection through Alongside Ministry but God was about to change that. He led her to leave her career and become the nanny caring for my children. Over time we all fell in love with her, and today she and I are married and have added Michael to our family.

Beginning in January of 2001 we moved to Alaska where I served as the interim associate pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Anchorage. At Trinity we were richly blessed with beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife and warm friends. In June of 2002 we packed our suburban with our four children aged 15, 12, 8 & 2 and headed for Miami Springs. After driving for 6500 miles and enjoying scenery, family and friends along the way we have arrived in Miami Springs where I am now serving as the called pastor.

God is indeed gracious and good!

Van Lahmeyer