Welcome, and thank you for joining us in celebrating a new chapter at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. It is with joy that Reverend Joseph and Gayle Leech are joining us. Pastor Leech was born in Reno, NV, on October 28 and baptized at the Air Force Base Chapel in December 1961. His parents raised him in the Lutheran church, and he confirmed his faith in the Sixth Grade at Riverside Lutheran Church in New Jersey. Pastor Leech's dedication to helping and serving others has been a lifelong commitment. His parents recall that he was always willing to assist someone in need, even at a young age. By age 12, he had already set his heart on a life of service.
He is a second-career pastor. Before graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He completed his military service in 1992 as a hospital trainer, shortly after the Gulf War, known as Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While continuing to serve his country, he earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's in School Psychology. His mental health career included working in group homes for delinquents, mental health centers, and in-home services to children with brain injuries. For almost thirty years, he used his time and talents to help those in need.
Pastor Leech met Gayle while in college. They were married on October 16, 1987, after both of them completed college. They raised two sons: Christian and Austin Allen. Christian married his high school sweetheart, Nicole. They have a son, Callan, and live in the Annapolis MD area. Allen has a daughter named Bailey and lives in Central Illinois. Allen shares custody with his ex-wife, Mackenna.
In 2012, while pursuing a doctoral degree, God called him into the Office of Holy Ministry. He enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. During vicarage, he became certified as a Stephen Minister. He chaired the Shepherd Action Team, a group of volunteers who help serve the congregation by working with the congregation's inactive members. He also taught Bible study and a semester of confirmation. He worked with several shut-ins and participated in several funerals and memorial services. His evangelism project was at an economically depressed elementary school serving students in grades K-2. God provided so that all the students received a new pair of athletic shoes.
His first call was to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hazleton, PA, where he served as the sole pastor for over three years. During this time, the church hosted a safe trick-or-treating event where children received a CPH Arch book, a Spanish Bible, or a Spanish Children's Story Bible. He partnered with a local bank to distribute an additional 2,000 Santa Biblia. To continue helping others, he received training and, in 2018, became an Ambassador of Reconciliation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe received a call from St. John Lutheran Ministries in Battle Creek, NE, to serve as the Associate Pastor. His primary responsibility was to establish a Spiritual Care Ministry to address the needs of this large congregation, which included providing pastoral counseling. Throughout his tenure, he conducted over 40 funerals and more than 30 baptisms. He made visits to the homebound and led monthly worship services at several nursing homes and care centers, as well as making all needed hospital visits.
In addition, he facilitated Sunday morning Adult Bible Studies, conducted a new members class and greeted students and parents at the school coffee cart. While serving as the Spiritual Care Pastor, Joe established a Stephen Ministry program. St. John now has six Stephen Ministers who continue to provide care for the congregation's needs. He trained a licensed Deacon to conduct nursing home visits and lead worship services at the care home. He also cared for an incarcerated parishioner, which ended just before his call to Beautiful Savior in Plover, WI.
In addition to my years as a called servant, Gayle and I have served the Lord in lay ministry in various capacities. We have team-taught children's Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, helped serve church meals, and hosted holiday meals for leadership teams.
We are excited to build new relationships and share the joys of ministry with all of you. Our goal is to serve and bring the comfort of the gospel to our new faith family and community at Beautiful Savior. We eagerly anticipate meeting each of you, developing strong, meaningful connections, getting to know our brothers and sisters in faith, and sharing the joys of ministry.
