Grace Lutheran Church

Meet our New Pastor! 

Formally, he’s the Rev. Dr. Stephen Chambers. But in a few months, he’s going to be “Pastor Steve” here at Grace—or, if you prefer, “Pastor Chambers.”  Have you met our incoming Associate Pastor? 

Pastor Steve grew up in Vancouver, B.C. and attended U.B.C. before completing his B.A. at Concordia College, Portland, in 1984. He was one of the last Canadian students to attend Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, graduating in 1989. His vicarage year was spent in Calgary, Alberta, where he met his wife Brenda. They have been blessed with two sons, who are both now married. Jonathan and his wife Rachel live in Ottawa; Kevin and his wife Vanessa live here in Edmonton. 

His first call was to serve the rural dual parish of Valleyview and High Prairie, Alberta (1989-93). While serving his next call, here in Edmonton (Concordia Lutheran Church in Millwoods, 1993-98), he was encouraged to return to school in order to prepare for a teaching position at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton. To pursue that goal, the family moved to Toronto in 1998 and lived in a high-rise building in a neighbourhood much like Oliver for 4 years. While completing his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies at Wycliffe College, (part of the Toronto School of Theology), Pastor Chambers also served as interim pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew (LCMS-English District) in suburban Scarborough, Ontario. 

Since 2002 he’s been teaching at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton, mostly in the areas of New Testament and Practical Theology. He’s been the Academic Dean since 2011 and has held a raft of other administrative positions too, including Dean of Student Life and Library Director. Through the seminary he’s enjoyed 6 seasons of archaeological work at Hippos, Israel, and short-term teaching in Lutheran Church-Canada’s daughter-churches in Ukraine (twice) and Southeast Asia (five times). 

On August 2, Pastor Chambers accepted the call that our congregation extended to him on July 14. He is wrapping up his teaching and administrative responsibilities at the seminary this fall, and will begin serving as our Associate Pastor on January 1, 2020. His installation service will take place on Sunday, January 12. 

Pastor Steve and Brenda live in Millwoods. She teaches Grade One at Centennial School (south of WEM) and enjoys baking, cross-stitching, running, and spending time with friends. Pastor Steve’s hobbies include running, reading, travelling, and fixing and driving sports cars (1974 MGB-GT, 2004 Miata).