About

Before accepting the call to become the pastor of St. John, Doctor Pierce served as the Executive Assistant for Missions and Stewardship for Iowa District West. Prior to his district position, he was the missionary for the District beginning churches in Norwalk, Polk City, and Clive, IA. Pierce, a native Californian, graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1987 and served as a mission developer in Texas before going to Iowa.

Earl and Sue Pierce were married in 1970 and have 3 grown daughters. Sue is a licensed independent social worker (MSW) and also holds a Master’s degree in Family Life Ministry. She was a pastoral counselor at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center in Iowa before moving to Arizona. Deidra, the oldest daughter, lives in Helena, Montana with her husband, Cameron and children Ivan and Melaina. Jill and Matt and children, Keegan and Jonah, live in Chicago where Matt is the head track coach at Concordia University.  Holly and Nate and their two children, Luke and Megan. live in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin where Holly is a school librarian and Nate is a stay-at-home dad.

Pierce received his Doctor of Ministry degree in April, 2005 from George Fox University in the field of “Leadership in the Emerging Culture” under the direction of noted futurist Dr. Leonard I. Sweet. Pierce’s dissertation is entitled “www.church - consulting with 19th and 20th century congregations in a 21st century world.”

Additional About

 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church started as a preaching station extension of Grace Lutheran, Needles, in 1966. Meetings were held in the homes of several Lutheran families living in old Bullhead when the population between Needles and Davis Dam was approximately 1,800 people.  In July, 1970 a small building was bought at Davis Camp for a chapel.  Sunday School was begun in 1973 with seven children.  In 1974 a constitution was drawn up, accepted and St. John became a congregation in LCMS with the goal of reaching out into the community. More about Lutherans

Three acres of land in Rio Lomas was purchased in 1978. The first church building was built in 1980 on Central Ave and the house of worship was dedicated in January 1981.  The congregation moved from Davis Camp to the new sanctuary in February of the same year.The facility was expanded with office space, restrooms and a meeting room in 1989. The kitchen was completely remodeled in 2005 and work is completed on “Bait Shop” for youth fellowship.

Over the past two years we have been working on a soccer field and playground for community use. Thanks to a generous grant from the BHHS Legacy Foundation, the playground and soccer field are up and running.

Next up for St. John is a capital campaign beginning in January, 2011 for expansion of fellowship and education space and, the Lord willing, a family life center for other activities.