LWML - Key Persons
Each of us is called to share our story of how we have been "Blessed" to be a part of God's Family. According to Exodus 3:11, Moses asked God, "Who Am I?" This was the very question I asked a pastor when he called me about delivering the message in a small community in central Alaska. In reality, I think my words were, "I think you have the wrong person." This is a short introduction into the way my call to ministry started.
I was serving in the Air Force, stationed at Anchorage, Alaska. My family and I were worshiping at a congregation in Chugiak. We had been there for about four months when I received a phone call from the "Alaska Mission Committee" circuit pastor; he also worshiped in Chugiak when he was in town. I was at work when he called, and he left a message on the answering machine. When I arrived home, my wife wanted me to hear the message. I heard it and automatically thought the pastor had the wrong number. After calling the pastor, and a brief conversation, I turned to my wife and said, "I guess we are going to Copper Center, Alaska to deliver the message." This conversation took place on a Thursday evening and I delivered the message Sunday morning, the message of "Who Am I?" The next week the pastor said, "I heard you delivered a good message…how would you like to become a Lay Minister?"
I began my studies, through Concordia University-Portland, shortly after that and obtained my certification June 1999. I, along with one other individual, became the first Licensed Lay Ministers in the Northwest District; today referred to as a Licensed Deacon. I continued my studies and ministry as the Air Force transferred me from Alaska to Mississippi and then on to my final duty station in Valdosta, Georgia. I retired from the Air Force in 2004, and after a short time of living and working in Virginia, Carolyn and I moved to Idaho in 2005. Returning to the Northwest District was a "Blessing" sent by God as we could continue to serve in this calling.
I am humbled, and give God Glory, to have been able to serve Beautiful Savior for the past two years, 2017-2019, as we transitioned between pastors. I now look forward to the growth of Beautiful Savior, under the direction of Pastor Dennis, and also to the growth of our spiritual partnership that is being formed in Christ. Moral of this story, God knows you better than you know yourself. So if asked to serve and you say to yourself, "Who am I," keep in mind that it's God who is asking.
"Nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains National Forest, Camp Perkins is a place where the Holy Spirit is at work. Within this setting of pristine mountain lakes, babbling creeks and inspiring ridges of granite peaks you will find the comfort of our facilities, the excellence of our programs, the exciting recreation of the lakes and meadows and a friendly staff of people committed to sharing the Word of God. Join us soon for one of our many unforgettable Christian camping experiences."
If you are interested in attending Camp Perkins, please contact the BSLC Office or Camp Perkins.
"After 35 years of ministry in Illinois and California, the Lord has brought me to Beautiful Savior, where I am privileged to serve as pastor. My wife, Rachel, and I look forward to this new chapter in our lives, and to being a part of God's plans for this community of faith and all whom He would bring into our midst. We sense there are exciting days ahead, and invite you to be a part of it all. We can't wait to meet you!"
Pastor Dennis Durham was born in Peoria, Illinois on September of 1957, and baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Paul Lessman. He attended worship and various church activities at Trinity with his family until he moved away from home in 1977. As a teenager and young adult, he enjoyed working with the developmentally-disabled programs of the church, was very active in the senior high youth group, played for the church basketball team, and co-taught a 4th grade Sunday School class for one year. He credits those years as being some of the most important in his faith journey and is thankful to God for all the dedicated adults he encountered along the way.
Dennis attended Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois from 1979 - 1983. While in college, he worked at a Lutheran camp in Minnesota where he met his wife-to-be, Rachel Krause, a fellow counselor. They were married in 1982. Following graduation, he served congregations in Park Ridge, Illinois, Dundee, Illinois, and Lodi, California as a teacher and/or DCE. During those years, the three Durham daughters arrived: Samantha, Ashley, and Mary.
In the fall of 1996, Dennis enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in the Alternate Route Program (course work designed for LCMS church workers intending to become pastors). Following his vicarage at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa, California, Dennis was ordained and installed as assistant pastor at St. Mark in July of 1999, where he served until Beautiful Savior extended a call to him in July of 2019. During their time in Santa Rosa, his wife Rachel served the congregation as Director of Music Ministries, where she directed the adult and children's choirs, as well as other ensembles, and played the organ for the traditional worship service.
Throughout his time in ministry, in addition to his called responsibilities, Pastor Dennis has served at the district level in youth ministry and as an LWML District Counselor, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp and the BOD of a non-profit organization in Santa Rosa. Over the years, Pastor Dennis and Rachel have also shared their gift of music at various national, district and circuit events within the church at large.
Their oldest daughter, Samantha joins her husband Chris on the staff of Grace Lutheran Church in Pocatello, Idaho. Chris is the assistant pastor; Samantha teaches seventh-grade language arts at the Lutheran school on site. They have two children - Lily, age 6, and Caleb 3. Daughter Ashley lives with her husband Steven in Los Angeles. She works as a self-employed make-up artist , and is also an aspiring actress; her husband works for Trader Joe's. Youngest daughter Mary lives with her husband Nicholas in central Illinois and works for Chick-fil-A (and joins her father as a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan!); Nicholas works for Caterpillar Tractor Company.
Faith Alone: By His suffering and death, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life as the substitute for all people of all time. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have eternal life. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
Grace Alone: God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
Kate Gordon joined our preschool in November 2021 and has proved to be a terrific asset to our program. She enjoys the children and is interested in learning more about the education of young children. She says "I love the how the simple academics are applicable to all areas of life: physical, emotional and spiritual." Kate is married and holds a bachelor's degree in education which she used primarily to homeschool her two children, who are now college age. She enjoys Idaho's opportunities to be outside enjoying God's creation.
Lindsay was born in Sun Valley, Idaho and raised on a small farm in Carey, Idaho. She loves to ride horses and was very active in 4-H. She graduated from Carey High School in 2003. She has been happily married for 11 years and has four beautiful children. She always wanted to be a teacher and came to Beginning Years in 2014. After receiving her certification, she began as a lead teacher in the 2 year old classroom. She was later promoted to Assistant Director. Due to her success in this role and her love for the program, she became Director of Beginning Years in 2023.