About

"Rev. Jerry and Patty Lawson serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in Latvia. In this role, Jerry teaches courses in Lutheran theology through the Luther Academy in Riga.

Jerry’s hometown is San Jose, Calif., where his home congregation, First Immanuel Lutheran Church, is located. He received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. His Master of Divinity is from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. Prior to serving in Latvia, Jerry served as the pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, Fla. (2001–2009), the pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, North Fort Myers, Fla. (2010–2018), and as a theological instructor at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia (ELCIR), located in Koltushi (2018–2022). He also served in the United States Air Force from 1986–1994.

Patty shares a hometown and home congregation with Jerry, and her college degree comes from Mohawk Community College, Utica, N.Y. She has worked as a registered nurse since 1993. Jerry and Patty have three children — Cosette, Juliette, and Aleksander.

Pray for Jerry and Patty as they serve in Latvia. Ask God to prepare the hearts and minds of the students who participate in the instruction offered through Luther Academy so that the work being done would be fruitful. Pray for the leaders and members of the Luther Academy as they prepare church workers around the world. Let us thank God that the Lawsons are serving His children in this part of the world."

Jerry and Patty Lawson

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