Our new Senior Pastor, Dr. Mike Gibson

Pastor Gibson and his wife Kathy

Dr. Mike Gibson
Senior Pastor

Dr. Mike Gibson is driven to see people connected to Jesus in highly relevant ways that result in the growth of the Kingdom of God and the discipleship of individual followers of Christ. This passion has expanded his influence to include ministry training opportunities in Hong Kong and China.

In addition to cheering on his beloved San Francisco Giants, Mike enjoys riding his motorcycle with Kathy or Tim, spending time together at their cabin in the Sierras near Lake Tahoe, and doing home improvement projects and gardening. Mike was born in Sacramento, the oldest of three children. His Dad, Jim lives in Sacramento with his wife, Laurie. Mike’s Mom entered eternity in 1983.

His undergraduate degree is from California State University, Sacramento (1980). He has served as a pastor since he graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1984, serving congregations in Huntington Beach, Chicago, and for 19 years in Silicon Valley. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA in 1996. He is the author of the books: Out of the Bleachers and Onto the Field (CPH 1992), A Mighty Fortress? Reclaiming and Releasing the Redemptive Purpose of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (1996), co-author of Share Life (an evangelism training resource for the LCMS), a contributor to the new book, Missionaries Out of the Pew (2006) and numerous other articles and publications. He also serves as a conference speaker and church consultant on the topics of evangelism, leadership, worship, and preaching to a post-modern culture. He serves the church-at-large as a member of the Pastoral Leadership Institute International Board of Directors. Pastor Mike and Kathy will annually lead a PLI training team into Hong Kong over the next four years.

Kathy was born in Tennessee and grew up as an Air Force “Brat,” the middle of five children. She spent her High School years in Fairfield, CA. She works full time out of her home as a soon-to-be Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics, a business through which God touches and encourages the lives of women. Her hobbies include making gift baskets, reading, and working “Sudoku” puzzles. Kathy has been a long-time vocalist in a worship band and loves using her voice to serve her Lord. Her number one focus is empowering her family to become everything they can be. Mike and Kathy were married in 1979 and are the parents of Andrew (20), who will live in San Jose, and Tim (15), who will be a Freshman at Lutheran High School, Orange this Fall.