Hi, I’m pastor Gary Witkop. My wife Debra and I have been here at Community In Christ where I have served at the pastor since 1995. My wife is a 2^nd grade teacher at Maranatha Christian Center. We moved here with our then young family after starting a church in South Dakota. Now our children have all grown up, gotten married and settled down in other states. Grandma and I miss our 5 grandchildren!

 

 

 

My wife and I both grew up in Minnesota where our families still reside. We miss them, but love living here in the Arvada area. Our children live in Delaware, Montana and Wyoming.

 

 

I have been a pastor in the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America since graduating from seminary in 1983 serving churches in Washington State, South Dakota and now here in Arvada.

My spiritual walk started when I was young, hearing and feeling God calling to me many times. I did not become a believer until I was in college at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. It was there with the help of friends from Intervarsity Christian Fellowship that I gave my heart to the Lord. Now I love to be used of God in helping others come to know Jesus as their savior and Lord.

 

 

One of the great things about being the pastor of Community In Christ is that this church is a family. With our children and grandchildren out of this area and with our extended family all being out of this area too; the people who are the church here have become our family. The same thing is true for all who come to church here. We become family to one another. That is part of what we view as our calling, to become God’s family to all who come to church here. With so many people in this area moving in from other places around the country, we all need a new family and Community In Christ can be that family. When our children were young they had family here too, people who were there spiritual grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. Though they no longer live here, they still consider many of the people here their extended family.

It is my hope that you will come and be part of Community In Christ, a family church where we can all grow in our faith and do as Jesus commanded, “love one another.”

 

Check Out Trail Talk by Pastor Gary Witkop!

Trail Talk is a book of devotions for the outdoors.