Redeemer welcomes new pastor

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

The new pastor at the High Prairie Redeemer Lutheran Church is excited to begin a new chapter in his life. Pastor James Avery, 34, began serving the congregation in August. Avery was born in Cochrane, Alta. and attended all his grade schooling there. He attended post secondary schooling knowing exactly what his goal was. “I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world somehow,” he says. “I was teaching kids with special needs.” At the time, Avery was trying to earn his Community Rehabilitation and Early Childhood Development diploma. After graduation, he worked in the field for two years before taking a job in a coal mine in British Columbia, mostly for financial reasons. He would stay there for five years. Ironically, it was his love of football that led to a change in life. He met his future wife, Tamara, who convinced him there was more to life and the future than football. In Cochrane, it’s a small town and if you’re on the football team you’re small town heroes,” he says. “I started to believe in the ‘holier than thou’ attitude.” In essence, his wife-to-be asked him how he would use his gifts to help others. It got him thinking. “That’s what started me on my Christian journey,” he says. Through the football, post secondary education and job in the coal industry, Avery continued to grow in his Christianity. He eventually went to a seminary in Edmonton. “The people from the church saw pastoral gifts in me I hadn’t seen,” he says. “I guess it was my personality - my ability to form relationships and my ability to learn.” His down-to-earth background in football and the fact he knows what it’s like to pull a wrench in –40 C weather also helped. Avery was ordained Aug. 12 and was immediately placed to serve the High Prairie, Valleyview congregations. Avery has settled in High Prairie with his wife and their children: Nathan, 8, Kira, 5, and Jaida, 1. His main goal is to see the congregation expand. “This congregation is ready to grow and expand,” he says. Identifying needs in the community and seeing how his church can meet those needs are a priority. “There is hope outside of the garbage of the world,” he says. “That’s why I became a believer. I can control myself and I’m not alone.” The church is holding a Family Fellowship Barbecue and open house Sept. 30. See the ad below this story for details of the day’s events.

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