Rev. David Pavesic, Director For Evangelical Mission, Annual Report: 2025

• Director For Evangelical Mission – Rev. David Pavesic

• First “Annual” Report

I call this my first annual report, as one year ago, I was working with Interim DEM Jim Dew on a few ideas as the pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Tucson. My plans were focused on the community around BSLC, with desires to stay connected and work collegially with others to serve the Kingdom of God.

It is true…. “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans.”

So, I am on a new learning curve, meeting more and more of my colleagues, and learning a whole raft of new things that I never, ever, thought I needed to know in 22 years of ordained ministry! Therefore, I follow the advice of a mentor, Dory, “Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!”

I am grateful for Jim Dew and Miguel Gomez-Acosta for their faithful work and their willingness to help me as I grow into this new part of my journey. I am grateful for the hospitality and welcome I have received from the synod staff and colleagues and communities of faith as I visit, call, and seek to learn more about this large and diverse synod. I give thanks for the Mission and Ministry Team and the Congregational Vitality Team for their work as we seek to get moving (and they continue to train me).

Some highlights of the time I have had (so far!):

Ministry Site Reviews:

Crossroads- San Tan and The Station- Florence, Covenant- Quartzsite, First Evangelical and Santa Trinidad- Mesa, House of Prayer and Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission- Rock Point.

Visited and preached at:

Covenant- Quartzsite, Dove of Peace- Tucson, Emmanuel Sudanese- Glendale, Faith- Yuma, First Evangelical- Mesa, Holy Trinity- Chandler, Pan de Vida- El Mirage, Santa Cruz- Tucson, Streams in the Desert- Tucson, Vida Nueva- Glendale. (I look forward to many more!)

There is potential for collaborative ministry work in a couple areas around the synod, including the potential for some new ministries. One exciting area is what can be called, “Fresh Expressions.”  We often see evangelism as getting people to come to church. What if it is about sending us out to the world? One quote to share, “We were told to bring people to the altar. What if we bring the altar to the people?” There are several congregations already trying things:building relationships and sharing the good news out in the community. They often are ways to reach people and build relationships with those who feel alienated by/from the church. More info? Contact me!

We recently joined in “Pray without Ceasing,” a multi-synodical prayer initiative that several Grand Canyon Synod congregations have already joined. If you have a prayer group at your congregation, or want something to help get one started, explore this idea!

I am grateful for a start, faithful companions, and a Lord who leads. I look forward to the ways we will keep following that lead going down this next part of the journey of faith.

Remember that God loves you, and so do I!

Rev. David Pavesic