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Pastor's Message
Here are a few snapshots of the kids.
Her birth in the summer of 2009 was wonderful
There are probably other things you'd like to know about me but the fact that
I love and enjoy my family should be one of the first. Of course that love is an
overflowing on God's love for me that I share with them and the world.
My Motto is: Love God, Love Your Family, and Serve Others.
As time permits, I'll write short articles or letters about my beliefs and
post them here. The first one is on the
Bible.
Other interesting items and notes:
- Born in Graceville, Minnesota -- if you know where it is without looking
at a map, please email me.
- Born with Amniotic Banding Syndrome, which means that my fingers and toes
were fused or shortened prior to birth. Thankfully the Shriner's hospital
untwisted my club foot and fixed me up. My fingers and hands do look a bit
funny but it has not kept me from doing anything but playing piano. As a
Pastor, I find it interesting that this minor birth defect has caused me more
trouble in the Church world than in the engineering world. Several
congregation refused to even interview me because of this. (Thank God! I
wouldn't want to be any part of such a prejudicial Church.) But also thank God
for the true and loving people of the two congregations I have served --
Atonement Lutheran in San Diego and now King of Kings here in Oceanside. I
have found that their ability to see past this minor birth defect is reflected
in their open and loving stance towards everyone. Both congregations have
shown God's love to others and to me and my family.
- In 1969, we moved from Minneapolis to San Diego.
- In 1974, I was confirmed at All Saints Lutheran Church in University City.
I was lucky to be mentored by three wonderful Pastors while there -- Jack
Lindquist, Bill Montgomery, and Ivor Kraft. Each in their own way, helped me
to understand God's love and grace.
- Graduated from Clairemont High School in 1978
- Graduated from UCSD with a degree in engineering in 1983 and went to work
as a computer programmer.
- Went to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS)
for 3 semesters before returning to the computer programming world. I felt God
was calling me to do something but not ordained ministry.
- Went back to the world of computer programming and worked on a variety of
different systems for different companies.
- In 1990, I joined Tierrasanta Lutheran Church in San Diego. There I
reformulated my connection with a Church into a more mature view. Over time, I
felt drawn into leadership of the congregation and eventually back to
Seminary. I began to take Seminary Classes one at a time to fill in the gaps
of my education and get my brain back in gear.
- Jan 1994 -- I returned to PLTS to finish my education and while there I
met Karla Halvorson. After just 5 weeks of dating, we were engaged and got
married a year later on June 24, 1995.
- After seminary, I was appointed the Interim Pastor at
Atonement Lutheran
Church in San Diego. For the next 16 months I worked at a computer
programmer during the week and as a Pastor in the evenings and weekends. While
the Call Committee looked for a Pastor, I fell in love with the people.
- On Jan 18, 1998 I was ordained to be their part-time Pastor.
- During my years at Atonement Lutheran we had several exciting episodes --
the most traumatic was the 2 members of the Mosque adjacent to the church flew
an airplane into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The FBI and Police were
active in the area for weeks while the neighborhood became afraid of the
Mosque and church. The preschool enrollment went from 120 to 40
overnight and the church went without a visitor for 14 months.
- Throughout my time at Atonement I fluctuated from part-time to full-time
to part-time.
- I remained at Atonement until Jan 1, 2007 when I became the Pastor at King
of Kings Lutheran in Oceanside.
- Since arriving at King of Kings, a huger amount of my focus and time has
been spent on The Gathering Place, our new fellowship hall.
- In 2008, my wife The Rev. Karla Halvorson was ordained and began serving
as the Associate Pastor for San Marcos Lutheran Church in San Marcos CA.
And yes, having a two Pastor family is both hectic and at time nerve racking
but God has blessed us with wonderful kids who take it all in stride (so far
-- hopefully that attitude will remain during their teenage years.)
- In July 2009, we welcomed Elsa to our family.
- In August 2009, we began work on The Gathering Place --
full story and pictures
- On April 25, 2009 we dedicated The Gathering Place and begin to look
forward for the 50th anniversary party in November.
- 2010 was year of stepping back while both our new baby at home and new
building at Church got their feet underneath them.
- 2011 has been a wonderful year filled with lots of outreach opportunities
at places like Solutions for Change and Stand Up for Kids. Kris & I
participated in the Invisible Children 25 event.
- Spring and Summer 2011-- We began a new worship service in a more
contemporary format. During the spring, the contemporary worship service
was at 5pm but moved to 10:30am in the summer.
- 2012 -- We got ourselves launched on Facebook and other social media.
- 2012 -- We look forward to an exciting year with the launch of "Building
Our Vision II" and our seminary intern Tyler Crabe.
In Christ's Service,
Pastor James
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King of Kings Lutheran
Church