Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Welcomes New Pastor

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church welcomes John W. Beckman as the congregation’s new pastor. Beckman will oversee pastoral duties succeeding Reverend Dr. Paul J. Gravrock, who served the church for more than 30 years.

Since Pastor Gravrock’s departure in 2011, the church has had two interim pastors, Marcus Hess and, most recently, Karen Johnson.

Pastor Beckman comes to Novato and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church from Conyers, Ga., where he served the last 13 years at Epiphany Lutheran Church. No stranger to California, Beckman graduated from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley. After graduating from seminary, Beckman served at Zion Lutheran Church in Stockton before accepting the pastoral call in Georgia.

Prior to working as a pastor, Beckman worked in finance until he realized he was called into seminary.  According to Beckman, “I did not choose to serve by my own means, but God and the Holy Spirit brought me this gracious gift to serve – a gift for a reason and a gift to be shared...,” he says. “I’m genuinely excited to be returning to California.” 

Beckman’s first Sunday at Good Shepherd is Jan. 6, with services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. A coffee hour will be held in between services. Pastor Beckman joins the church along with his wife, Veronica, and their three children, Ben, Josh and Rachel.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is at 1180 Lynwood Drive in Novato. For further information on Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, please call 415-897-2123 or e-mail church.office@goodshepherdlutheran.org.