We are pleased to announce that effective May 1, 2017, the Rev. Tom Goellrich has been called to serve as Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission of the Pacifica Synod.
The Director for Evangelical Mission is responsible for engaging synodical leaders, structures and strategies in the formation and development of evangelical congregations grounded in faith formation, discipleship and faith practices. He will coordinate and staff the education of all evangelical mission, mission support and stewardship ministry including mission support and/or stewardship; new and renewing congregations; a synod mission strategy; and ELCA commitments to ethnic-specific communities, communities of color, the young-adult population; as well as people and communities experiencing poverty.
Pastor Tom is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH (1990, MDiv); San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA (Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction, 2004); and California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA (1983, BA Religion & Philosophy). He has served two parishes as lead pastor (St. Paul Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH, 1990-98 and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fullerton, CA, 1998-present). Pastor Tom has also served two terms on the Pacifica Synod Council and Executive Council. He has lead synod Consultation and Discipline Committees in both Pacifica and Southern Ohio Synods. He is also in his second term as Dean of the Rejoice Conference.
Pastor Tom was born in Gardena, CA and grew up in the Inland Empire in the community of Cherry Valley. He graduated from Beaumont High School in 1978. He is married to Susan since 1983. Susan is a principal in the La Habra City Schools. They have four children. Donnetta (married to David) lives in Texas and is a school teacher in Yoakum, TX. Nate, (married to Janell) lives is Tustin and is a teacher, varsity baseball coach and Athletic Director at Estancia High School in Costa Mesa. Greta, lives in La Habra. She has just completed her student teaching and is a substitute teacher in La Habra. Noah, lives at home in Brea. He is a student at Golden West College in Huntington Beach and works at Disneyland. PastorTom and Susan have 5 grandchildren (Austin – 12, Camden – 11, Kailyn – 7 and Gunner – 1½, in Texas; Laila – 1, in Tustin). You can tell which parent has had the greatest influence on their children. Pastor Tom would describe their family as baseball fanatics and Disney enthusiasts!