As senior pastor John Gerike retires, Our Saviour's celebrates his ministry
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Naperville recently celebrated Senior Pastor John Gerike on his retirement.
Rev. Gerike, an ordained pastor for 34 years, has been senior pastor at Our Saviour's for the past 8 years.
The Naperville resident is known for his calm, compassionate, and caring manner.
Our Saviour's and the Naperville community has been blessed with his leadership over the past eight years. He most recently led the congregation through a nationwide pandemic serving as a steady presence during uncertain times.
As Pastor John has announced his plans to retire, the Our Saviour's faith community celebrates his leadership and ministry.
Pastor Brian Wise shares, "Pastor John has been an amazing leader for our community on many levels over the last eight years. His approach to preaching has helped people to hear God's unconditional love on a weekly basis and his leadership - especially during a pandemic - have helped us to navigate loving God and neighbors in new ways."
Prior to serving at Our Saviour's, Pastor John was a pastor at Walsburg Lutheran Church in Leonardville, Kansas, Olsburg Lutheran Church in Olsburg, Kansas, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manchester, Missouri.
Prior to becoming a pastor, he was also a youth director at Nativity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Pastor John's ministry was celebrated by the Our Saviour's faith community throughout the weekend worship and receptions following.
Jean Jepson, director of administration at Our Saviour's, shares, "Pastor John has planted seeds and laid building blocks that will help take Our Saviour's into this next chapter. We will be forever grateful to Pastor John for the gifts he and others have shared with us. We thank Pastor John, for his impactful leadership and dedication to this faith community and we ask God's blessing on him and his wife Ruth as they start a new journey."
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church is a vibrant faith community that has been an integral part of the Naperville community for over 65 years. To learn more about Our Saviour's Church, visit www.oursaviours.com.