In a unanimous vote of the congregation on January 26, the Rev. Jesse Larson was elected to become Bethany’s 13th called pastor (since Bethany’s start in 1914).

Rev. Jesse’s first day preaching will be Sunday, March 1.

Jesse Larson’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree in cultural anthropology from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio; and a master’s degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Among his experiences are service as a Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa; program intern at the Center for Global Education in Namibia, Southern Africa; Director of Youth and Outreach for the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, New York; and campus minister and interim associate pastor at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames, Iowa. He additionally served as pastor of Union Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Wisconsin before moving to the West Coast.

Many thanks to members of Bethany’s Pastor Nominating Committee who worked so diligently and prayerfully to arrive at this selection: Jeff Mills, Dr. Peter Baird, Sylvia Alamillo, Janice Douglas and Grace Ogata.

Join us March 1 to celebrate the first Sunday of Rev. Jesse Larson at Bethany!