Our Pastor

The Reverend Alvin L. (Al)  Zimmerman, Jr.

  I was born on Easter Sunday in Louisville, Kentucky.  One of my earliest memories is watching my father study for his
  seminary classes.  After graduation, he served churches in North Dakota and Nebraska before returning to Kentucky
  where I attended high school.  During all of those years church was an integral and important part of my life.  I attended
  Sunday School, was active in the Youth Group, and went to Church Camp each summer. 

  I then followed the family to my father’s next call in Manhattan, Kansas where I attended Kansas State University.  I met my
  wife there and graduated with a degree in history and secondary education.  Because of my father’s influence, I
  considered a call to the ministry several times over the next few years, but it wasn’t until after his death at age 57 that I felt
  compelled to answer the call.  Before starting seminary, my wife and I sold our house, packed our car with a tent and other
  supplies and spent the next year and a half traveling and camping all over the U.S.

  During my first year in seminary, I met the Rev. John Connor, campus pastor at Oregon State University and former
  Moderator of the General Assembly who was at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary teaching a class on
  Peacemaking in Church and Society.  John invited me to come to Oregon State as a campus ministry intern.  He became
  a mentor and had a profound influence on my life and ministry, raising my awareness on issues of peace and justice. 
  Unfortunately, like my father, John also died young at age 55 while I was working with him.

  Since graduation, I have served churches in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa and spent ten years as campus minister at
  Kansas State University.  My wife and I have a grown son and daughter and we enjoy traveling and music.  As a musician,
  I have played piano/keyboards in several bands and as a solo performer.

E-Mail Pastor Al:

fpcpastoral@sbcglobal.net