Pastor

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15

Greetings

I'm Pastor Christopher Cole and I’m glad that you’ve come to visit the website of Redeemer Lutheran Church and School here in Pensacola, Florida.  It's great to connect with you on-line and to be able to share with you a little about what’s going on here in our family of faith.  

The only thing better would be to speak with you in person, as you come and join us as our guest, sharing in the blessings that God gives us in His divine service to us in worship, and in Christian fellowship!  God has given us mighty promises in His Word, and He is doing wonderful things in our community and in our lives.  We would love to hear what He’s doing in YOUR life, and we would also love to let you know about the goodness and blessings that He has given us too.

I pray that our brief online connection today will provide you further opportunities to get to know God's goodness. And I also pray that God's Holy Spirit guide us all to continue growing in faith, hope and love.

God's blessings and peace be yours today!
Pastor Cole
[email protected]  

Pastor Christopher Cole is a second career pastor, having graduated from Concordia Seminary – St. Louis in 2004.  He grew up in Bradenton, Florida, and is a 1988 graduate of Southeastern University – Lakeland, Florida.  

He is married to the love of his life Melanie, whom he met while preparing for the pastoral ministry at Westfield House of Studies at Cambridge University in England.  They enjoy camping, bird watching and observing other wildlife, and trekking together through God’s wonderful creation. And they both also look forward to exploring the wonders of Christ's Kingdom that is to come! 

Our Shepherds

Pastor Cole
10/2008 - present

Pastor Rupp
4/1970 - 3/2008

Pastor Meyer
Interim Pastor

Pastor Lieske
2/1966 - 7/1969

Pastor Werberig
5/1963 - 8/1965

Pastor Grumm
6/1958 - 3/1963

Pastor Kennell
12/1953 - 8/1954

 

Our Associate Shepherds

Pastor Bredeson
7/2006 - 12/2007

Pastor Seabaugh
6/2000 - 8/2005

Pastor Wood
8/1997 - 7/1999

Pastor Majeski
7/1993 - 6/1995

Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Robert G. Rupp – 38 Continual Years of Service at Redeemer!

The following is the introduction he wrote for Redeemer’s 50th anniversary booklet in 2003 entitled “Fifty and Forward with Faith.”  A copy of this veritable history of Redeemer might still be around – if you know who to ask!  This letter is included here because it is so characteristic of Pastor Rupp’s warmth and style. 

Pastor Rupp is now officially retired after serving from 1970 to 2008, but if you are lucky, you can catch one of his sermons when he occasionally substitutes when our current pastor is on vacation.  Praise the Lord!

Dear Members and Friends of Redeemer,

For a very long time in my letters to you I have used the above greeting.  This wonderful 50th Anniversary book will be enjoyed by many members and friends.  We thank all of those who played any part in bringing us this fine addition to our celebration.

Celebration and thanksgiving are key concepts for this particular moment in Redeemer’s history.  We celebrate all the good that has come to and through Redeemer Lutheran Church.  We celebrate with thanksgiving to God for all the blessings He has bestowed on this community of believers for 50 years.

My prayerful hope is that we do not stop with celebration and thanksgiving, but see future potential for our family of believers to extend the Kingdom of God and serve our Savior, Jesus.
Let’s not make our 50th Anniversary observance a retirement party.  Let’s make it a joyful launching.

As we enter year 51, we do so with the exciting prospect of building expansion to enhance our overall program.  Our Stewardship/Fund Raising Campaign has been so successful.  Just imagine our second half century beginning with visionary building for the future.

Enjoy this book.  See what God has done.  Look forward to what God will do.

Your pastor and friend,

Robert G. Rupp