Christ Our Redeemer welcomes new pastor
Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, a long-standing part of the Sandpoint Community and home to Little Lambs Preschool & Kindergarten, is excited. After nearly a year without a pastor on staff, and a devastating fire back in Septem-ber, things are looking up.
On Sept. 30, 2016, around 8 p.m., an upstanding group of young men spotted smoke coming from the building and called 911. Within minutes fire and emergency crews were on site battling a blaze in the kitchen of the church. Between the quick actions of those young men and the heroic work of Sandpoint’s first responders, the building structure as a whole was saved. While the building suffered several hundred thousand dollars in smoke and property damage, no one was hurt and most items of historical and sentimental significance were saved.
The community came together in an amazing way to help the church and school. Sandpoint Seventh-day Adventist Church offered to generously share their space for Sunday worship. Through their amazing support and kindness, church services continued, uninterrupted. First Lutheran Church and Living Water Lutheran Church loaned and donated worship supplies. First Christian Church shared a portion of their beautiful space to continue the popular Baby-Toddler Explore Wednesday playgroup. Sandpoint Junior Academy opened up their gym to help Little Lambs continue their P.E. program through a snowy winter. Without the support and generosity of these amazing groups, many programs would not have been able to continue.
Through the trying times of the fire, Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church was also without a pastor. Sundays were host to visiting, retired pastors from all over the Inland Northwest. These gentlemen drove hours through the snow and rain to hold church services and keep the congregation afloat.
It’s a new time — and the people of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church are excited. After a long process, with many ups and downs, God has called a leader to shepherd the Church. The Rev. Steven Heinsen (Pastor Steve) is scheduled to be installed on Sunday, April 30, at 4 p.m. The community is invited to join us, back in our beautiful, renovated space, for an afternoon of celebration. The special service will include the installation of Pastor Steve, as well as the re-dedication of the building. Bring your favorite dish to share in the potluck and join us for an evening of rejoicing.
Pastor Steve Heinsen is excited to be on the journey with Jesus at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He has a passion to connect people in our community to the saving power of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Pastor Steve grew up in Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in vocal music education, and then graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He served churches over the past 20 years in Nebraska, Alaska, and Washington state before landing in beautiful Sandpoint. He enjoys outdoorsy stuff like bicycling, walking, snowshoeing (a work in progress), and hiking, as well as exploring new cultures, people, foods, and places in our world. He also loves cheering on and supporting local sports activities, and being an active face and hands in the community. He doesn’t drink coffee, but where there is food, there he is also. He would love to chat with you about how Jesus is at work in our lives today.