Reverend Lara Forbes of Mount Vernon, Washington, attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago where she received her Master of Divinity degree in 2009. After majoring in both Spanish and Political Science at Central Washington University in 1991, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Arizona University in 1995. During the years between college and seminary, she worked as a manufacturing engineer for the Boeing Company for seven years, as a missionary for two years in Costa Rica for the ELCA, where she gained added fluency in Spanish, and as a sales associate in her seminary’s book store. Pastor Lara was ordained in October of 2010.

She obtained her teaching parish experience (ten hours per week) in a Chicago bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation much like Faith and she served as a Vicar/Intern with the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rahway, New Jersey. Her preaching is always gospel centered; and she is excellent with youth and was the driving force in taking a group of youth to New Orleans for an ELCA National Youth Assembly. When asked how she handles stress, her internship pastor and a classmate in the seminary both emphasized that she “takes excellent care of herself” and has a disciplined practice to take time for herself every day.

Her areas of expertise are: Small Group Ministry, Multicultural Ministry, Self-Care/Family Life, Ministry in Daily Life, and Youth and Family Ministry. Her top five areas of strength are: Preaching / Worship Leadership, Teaching, Stewardship, and Social Ministry and Ecumenical Work. In our profile Summary we said that “We are looking for a pastor who will challenge us spiritually, teach on current social issues, and speak both English and Spanish.” Lara is a good match and was identified as our best qualified candidate.

Congratulations to Faith’s Call Committee: Judi Duemler-Tyler and Tom Paff (Co-chairs) and Luis Barajas, John Johnstonbaugh, Victor Leyva, Gail Turner and Mike Valder.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

The ELCA has over 10,000 congregations in the United States. This diverse body of congregations is led by gifted individuals to serve as pastor and lay rostered leaders. The ELCA offers opportunities for a Lutheran education at every level. The organization is committed to making the world a more just and peaceful place to live. Visit the ELCA website today.

Contact

Please feel free to email and tell us how to get in touch with you.

Staff email addresses are:
Pastor Lara Forbes
pastor@faithalive.com
Deedee Ursin, Administration
info@faithalive.com
Dennis Hart, Custodian
dennis@faithalive.com
Kevin DeYager, Music Director
musicdirector@faithalive.com
Saki Nabeshima, PreSchool Director
faithpreschool83@gmail.com
Webmaster
angel@porthavengraphics.com

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