Pastors & Staff
of Mount of Olives Church
Pastors
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REV. JOHN R. STEWARD
SENIOR PASTOR
Staff
A native Californian, Pastor Steward received his B.A. from California Lutheran University and graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity degree in 1979. His first ministry was at Peace Lutheran Church in South Gate, California where he served from 1979 to 1984. He was called to the Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino in 1984, where he started a scholarship program for underprivileged youth to attend Bethel Lutheran School. He also created a camp scholarship fund for underprivileged youth.
Pastor Steward was called to serve at Mount of Olives Church as the Senior Pastor on January 14, 1993. Mount of Olives has a growing membership of over 1800. Pastor Steward preaches and oversees all ministry of the church including: RHL Preschool – a Christian NAEYC accredited school, Adult Day Program for seniors with dementia, Kid City – midweek and weekend programs and services for children, The Rock – a program for the students and teens of the community, and missions ministry locally and around the world, as well as supporting programs like the Southwest Community Center and South County Outreach.
Pastor Steward and his wife, Torild, have a daughter and son-in-law - Astrid and Sean, a son and daughter-in-law - Sean and Jenny, and six grandchildren.
Since September of 2000, Pastor Jim has been serving Mount of Olives Church and the surrounding community. With his love of the Lord and his passion for people, he brings enthusiasm to all he does. He believes that church leadership is not first about strategy, personality, or organizational skill; but rather, it’s about relationships. At the heart of his ministry is a deep, intimate, dynamic and loving relationship with Jesus Christ and from that flows his love for others.
Pastor Jim received his Masters of Theology from Concordia University, Irvine. After his ordination, he was certified as a Rostered Pastor with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). At Mount of Olives Church, he serves as one of the Preaching and Teaching Pastors, oversees Pastoral Care and Counseling, teaches various classes, and is responsible for many ministries, events and activities.
Pastor Jim and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Grace and Noah; as well as, dogs, cats, and horses.
Additional Staff at Mount of Olives Church
The Adult Day Program at Mount of Olives Church (ADP) has been in operation since 1987. Click the link below to view the Adult Day Program's Staff page.
The Robert H. Lange Christian Preschool & Kindergarten at Mount of Olives Church (RHL) has been in operation since 1967. Click the link below to view RHL Preschool's Staff page.