 Howdy, folks! I’m Fred Westerhold, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in beautiful Harvey, North Dakota. We are a mission congregation of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, or LCMC. I became a rostered pastor of LCMC in June of 2010. I have been in Pastoral Ministry for twenty-nine years. I grew up farming in the Anaheim area of California, then in North County San Diego. I attended Fallbrook Union High School in Fallbrook, California. I enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1969. Following my tour in Viet Nam, my High School Sweetheart, Sheryl, and I got hitched in 1971.College was at California Lutheran College (now University) where I received a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Ancient History and Religion; then Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota where I received a Master of Divinity degree in 1981. I was ordained as a pastor of the American Lutheran Church into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, California, on August 9, 1981. Our first call took us to Torquay Lutheran Parish in Saskatchewan, Canada, as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCC). I served three congregations there. After three and a half years, we moved to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Saskatoon where I served as Youth and Family Pastor.In 1987, the ELCA became the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). After seven years in Canada we returned to the good ol’ US of A. Now again in the American Lutheran Church (ALC), we first served Our Savior Lutheran Church in Twin Falls, Idaho. While in Twin Falls, we started a “Synodically Authorized Worshiping Center”–or Chapel–in Shoshone, Idaho. In 1991 I was called to be the Mission Developer of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where, it is said, it’s “Poverty with a view.” There were five original families (yes, the “Jackson Five!”) and we enjoyed every challenge that mission development brought. After a shade over three years I took a Leave from Call and went cowboyin’ on the Jackson Hole Hereford Ranch for one year. That really set my Western style of living–cowboy hats, boots, bollo ties and a good dog (Pete). In 1995 I accepted the Call to further develop the Shoshone, Idaho, Chapel–New Hope Lutheran Church–where those great folks dug in to establish a strong ministry presence in the area. They even supported a venture to start a mission congregation in Hailey, Idaho–just a short jaunt away from Sun Valley. After a couple of years the Lord revealed His continuing plans for us. 1997 found us where we said we’d never go–North Dakota! Walhalla was the place. We served Walhalla and Big Pembina Lutheran Churches up in the North-East corner of the state. This is North Dakota’s best-kept secret; the Pembina Gorge is a highlight not to be missed! The year 2003 turned another page in our life’s saga; we’re in Harvey, North Dakota. This city of two thousand something is not far from Sheryl’s birth place, Maddock, North Dakota. As Sheryl says, “It took my native California husband to bring me back to my roots!” Harvey and its people have grown deep into our lives and we are glad to be here–it is the Lord’s work and He brought us to this place. Now we find ourselves beginning a new chapter of life and ministry. Following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the congregation I served–First Lutheran Church– split and over half of the congregation formed a new mission congregation–Faith Lutheran Church– in the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). I am privileged to serve them as part time Interim Pastor. We are experiencing the joy and freedom we have to develop mission and ministry as an autonomous congregation. Ministry is fun again! Let me tell about my wife, Sheryl. She's awesome! She was born in Maddock, North Dakota, to Burton and Agnes Friestad. Burt and Agnes farmed in the Harlow area for several years before moving to California in 1953. Sheryl is a constant inspiration and source of strength for me. She's not afraid to ride herd over me nor rein me in when necessary. She's edited newsletters since dirt and has shared from her treasure trove of spiritual gifts from the Lord.Sheryl is my prayer partner, soul mate and light of my life. She's a faithful and committed Christian woman. We have two grown children, Paul and Sara. Paul lives with his wife, Meg, in Salt Lake City, Utah and Sara lives in Twin Falls, Idaho, with her husband Justin and daughters Emily (10) and Aftyn (3). We truly are blessed! Friend, here in this web site you’ll find resources to help you in your walk with Jesus and to connect with other Christians around the world–not just Lutheran Christians. There's a lot going on and a lot to be learned. We are excited to share our journey with you. Let’s ride! |
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