We welcome Pastor Rich Verano, his wife Rachel, and their children!
Hi there! My name is Rich Verano, and as of the first of September, I am your new pastor.
Since we arrived, you have all so warmly welcomed my family and me into your lovely community of believers. We are deeply grateful. In this, my first "From The Pastor's Desk," I hope to share a bit more about myself for those who are curious.
I was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida. My wife, Rachel, is a native of Jeffers. She graduated from Red Rock Central in '08. Together, we have four daughters: Evie (8), Lulu (6), Millie (4), and Gabby (1). They fill our house to the brim with joy (and noise). We count ourselves truly blessed.
I earned my Master of Divinity in 2019 at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and most recently pastored a Presbyterian church in Madison, Wisconsin. After four years ministering to Madison, the Lord led us to move back near Rachel's family. When we made the move, it wasn't long before your Call Committee reached out asking if we might explore the possibility of a call. After discussion, study, and prayer, it was clear to all of us that this is where the Lord would have me serve. And the unanimous congregational vote confirmed it.
Even though my pastoring a Lutheran church was a part of God’s plan I hadn’t expected, my longing to serve this area goes back over a decade. Even while we were dating, Rachel and I talked about the deep need for more ministers in Southwest Minnesota. We believed that some faithful pastoral care and attention could mean a great deal to the folks living here. We hoped that someday we might have a part in that work.
Now that we are here in Lamberton, I keep finding new reasons to love this place. There is a compelling beauty lining the red roads that connect us: a fruiting field, a well-loved farmhouse that began its life as a settler’s shack, a small country church, the tombstones of the faithful just outside, constantly testifying to the hope proclaimed within the doors. There is beauty, too, in the kindness of neighbors and the deep roots of this community. I look forward to hearing your stories and discovering what you love about this corner of Minnesota.
Most of all, I look forward to knowing you. If you see me around, please say hello and introduce yourself. I love meeting people and spending time with them, and you don’t need a crisis or a theological question to talk with your pastor.
There is good work to share here: proclaiming Christ, caring for one another, and loving our neighbors. I am honored to be your co-laborer in the Lord’s fields.
Grace, peace, and love,
Pastor Rich
