Pastor Loren Steele

Pastor Steele lived an adventurous life. During his “yondering” days he worked as a lumberjack in the Redwood forests, for the Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska, on top-secret spy stuff for the Air Force during the Vietnam War, as a wilderness guide, a horse wrangler for pack outfits in the High Sierra Mountains, and a free-lance artist. During this time he traveled extensively in Mexico, U.S.A., Canada, Alaska, and the South Pacific. Later, in more settled years, he taught art in grades ranging from junior high school to junior college.

The first twenty five years of his life were spent in staunch unbelief. But due to the witness of his wife, Charlene, he came to faith. Over the years this faith grew to the point that one day he asked himself this question: “If I really believe the Bible is true, why am I not sharing it with the world?” At that moment, he decided to study for the ministry, at age thirty six. Seven years later, his first call was to Emanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN.

Pastor Steele made many friends during his life, but more importantly he introduced others to the Friend of Sinners: Jesus Christ. Pastor Steele was relentless in bringing the Gospel message to others. He believed that he had a special call from God to share the Gospel with Asian Peoples. Hmong, Laotian, Cambodian, Japanese, and Chinese people heard the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ from him. Many heard and believed and were saved.

Pastor Steele started an organization. It was appropriately called “Friends of China”. Through Friends of China he could reach into Mainland China with the Gospel message. Through Friends of China many have been introduced to their True Friend, Jesus Christ.

After a long fight with cancer, Pastor Steele passed away on January 8, 2005. He will always be missed dearly by those who have been affected by him.

Pastor Steele's Sermon