2000
PASTOR JULIANNE KOIVISTO BARLOW
Pastor Julianne Koivisto was installed as Lead Pastor on June 21st, 2004.Pastor Julianne was born and raised in London Ontario, the middlest girl of three daughters and a son. Raised in a Christian family, she was drawn to a teaching career and graduated from the College of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Guelph with a major in Applied Human Nutrition. Her oldest son was born in Moncton and her youngest son in Ottawa. Pastor Julianne married Dave Barlow in Calgary August 27, 2004.
Pastor Julianne began her theological training in 1996, finally receiving her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota in 2004. Her studies concentrated on Youth and Family ministry since her passion in ministry is for healthy families, unity in the church and sharing God's love. As an international student, Pastor Julianne had the opportunity to hear incredible stories of God's work worldwide. Pastor Julianne is currently studying Congregation Mission and Leadership, a Doctorate of Ministry program of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
Palm Sunday, 2004, First Lutheran voted to call Julianne to lead the congregation as their Senior Pastor. Pastor Julianne started her ministry at First Lutheran in June 2004 and was excited about leading the congregation. At that time First Lutheran's commitment to serving God through Christ centred living was lived out in community gatherings such worship, home groups, Bible studies and in caring ministries. All were welcomed to join us in living Jesus "inside out."
By 2009, the congregation of First Lutheran had discerned God's call to God's mission. Simply put, that is the Christian vocation of serving others in the world. The congregation's focus is on growing in faith, connected to Jesus, so each one can join God in the redemption of the world. First is engaged in this journey with prayer, hope and wonder about the work God will do in us and through us.
You are invited to join in!
