Welcome

When people think of a church, most people think of a place. When you think about Zion we want you to think about people. People are Zion's greatest resource and treasure. We'd love to have you visit this weekend to experience with us the acceptance, significance, and purpose we believe God promises for our lives. We want you to join us as we seek to be energized and better equipped to deal with life's challenges and we want you to experience with us the life-transforming power of His Word.

A time of change is upon us as Pastor Jay Klein has retired. We thank God for his faithful service among us for 18 years. We are currently in the Call Process for seeking the next pastor that God has chosen to serve at Zion. In the interim, we are blessed to be served by Pastor Ron Rock.

Pastor Rock sends the following message to all:

It is my honor and privilege to be asked by Zion’s leadership to serve God among you at Zion as your Vacancy Pastor.

I was born in Kansas and raised on a farm, where we primarily grew crops and fattened beef cattle. I received a BS in Business Administration from Emporia (KS) State University. For 15 years, I worked for various computer companies and started a business with two friends selling computer hardware and software systems to independent oil and gas operators.

In 1989, our Lord called me to study for the Office of the Holy Ministry. My wife and I sold our home, I gave up my interest in the business, and with our three children moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to attend Concordia Theological Seminary. For my vicarage, I was assigned to begin a “mission congregation” (new congregation start-up) in the Kenosha, WI area.

I was ordained in June of 1993 and served at Our Saviour Lutheran in Commerce City (Denver area), CO. In January of 1998, I began serving at Trinity Lutheran in Tinley Park as an Associate Pastor. Then, in October of 2001, I was called to be Senior Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church and School in Beecher, Illinois.

I retired from fulltime ministry from Zion, Beecher in June of 2022. Since then, I have provided “pulpit supply” at many sister congregations throughout our area. Also, I have served two congregations as their Vacancy Pastor. My wife, Karen, and I continue to live in rural Beecher. We have three adult children and four grandchildren.

My basic duties here include leading Sunday morning worship and calling on members who are hospitalized or homebound and unable to attend worship. Those visits will include my bringing God’s Gifts in Word and Sacrament to them. In the fall, I will begin an adult Bible class and instruct our youth of confirmation age.

Initial plans call for me to have at least one “office day” each week. Most likely that day will be on Wednesday in order to coincide with our preschool’s chapel day. Also, I hope to be a visible presence to the preschool families, offering myself to them as they drop off and pick up their children. I’ll be in the office during the morning hours and then make visits in the afternoon.

May God bless our time together as we wait for God’s perfect moment when He will send His next permanent undershepherd to serve you at Zion Lutheran Church.