Hello and welcome!
I've been the pastor at BLC since March 2016 and couldn't be happier to be here! I grew up in Vacaville, CA, and then moved to the Gettysburg, PA area, staying there for 18 years before moving back to CA. My wife, Sara, and I have three daughters, two of whom still live at home with us.
My education includes an associate’s degree from Harrisburg Area Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University, and a master’s degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. During seminary I did a yearlong internship in Birmingham, AL where I served Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.
As far as hobbies and interests go, I love playing racquetball, watching baseball (Let’s Go A’s!), fishing, craft beer, video games, and the occasional cigar. I’m also a major sci-fi geek—I love superheroes, Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, etc.
As far as work goes, I love to write and have been published by Augsburg Fortress, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and Clergy Stuff. I grew up Lutheran, which means I’ve had a lifetime of being called to death and resurrection through my baptism. From that work, I feel called to proclaim that gospel in thought, word, and deed. So, many causes are important to me: hunger, homelessness, welcoming the LGBTQ community, sexism, interfaith, Black Lives Matter, in addition to being the best pastor I can be to the flock that God has called me to.
That’s me in a nutshell. I’d love the opportunity to get to know you better. Come and see what God is doing here at Bethlehem!
You can check out my sermons at LATINLUTHERAN.NET.
Peace be with you.
Pastor Ron