Pastor Harl Pike – July 2009

I was born in Munich, Germany in 1946 and came to the US in 1948 (American father, German mother).  I lived in New York City, New Jersey and New Hampshire before my mother, and then divorced, moved to Arizona.  I was graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in 1967, spent two years teaching English in Sfax, Tunisia with the Peace Corps where I also met and married my wife Judy, and then went to Luther Seminary in St, Paul.  I was ordained in 1973 and spent nearly 5 years in my first parish, a two point arrangement in Show Low and Holbrook, Arizona.  I was then called to Sierra Lutheran Church, in Sierra Vista, Arizona where I served for 30 years.  I retired in July, 2008.

We have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.  My interests include languages (I have some knowledge of French, German, and Russian and have studied Chinese and Arabic), history, and geology.  I currently volunteer as a guide at Kartchner Cavern, near our home, which is one of the top show caves for minerals in the world.

This will be my 7th trip to Lithuania (served on our Grand Canyon Synod's Global Mission Committee and we are partnered with the Lutheran Church of Lithuania.)   One of your previous pastors was Robert Jones who grew up in my Sierra Vista church!   I look forward to being with you.