Pastor James Albert Engel

The Rev. James Albert Engel, known as Jim, spent more than 60 years preaching, teaching, and showing up for people who needed him.  He, and his wife Pamela, built a life together that took them to Lutheran congregations across the Midwest to Colorado, where he continued to serve well into retirement.

Jim was born in Dundee, Michigan, on October 4, 1939, to his loving parents, Leon and Alice Engel. The Engels moved to Berkeley, MI when Jim was young. and then to a family farm in New Baltimore, MI where he would attend Anchor Bay school system. Jim was active in sports playing baseball, football and earning a spot at the state track competition competing in the 1-mile race. Upon graduation from Anchor Bay High School in 1957, Jim matriculated to the Lutheran Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English.

Jim’s hometown pastor in Michigan had an influence on his faith while growing up and into his college years.  Jim felt the calling from God to pursue the ministry and follow his faith. He studied at the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary (Trinity Seminary, Columbus, OH) earning a Master of Divinity Degree after completing a ministry internship in Spokane, WA.   Jim also served a summer as the Boy Scout Camp Chaplain situated at the foothill of picturesque Mt. St. Helens. His ordination was in 1965 and he was the first pastor in 100 years to be from St. John’s Lutheran Church, his home congregation in New Baltimore, MI.

Jim met Pamela Kettner while both were attending Capital. James and Pamela were married in Saginaw, MI, June 29, 1963, and the ceremony was Officiated by Pam’s father, the Rev. E.H. Kettner.

Jims first “Call to Minister” was as a 1^st Assistant Minister for Zion Lutheran Church, Muscatine, Iowa.   After Muscatine, Jim served at Christ Lutheran, Nauvoo, Illinois and then  St. Paul’s Lutheran, Shelbyville, Illinois.  His final congregation as full-time pastor was Trinity Lutheran, Wabash, Indiana where he spent 28 years.

Jim was always community minded and, in every parish, took leadership roles in the city ministerial associations, He was Head Spiritual Director of several Via de Cristo weekends while in Indiana.  In Wabash where he served so many years he spearheaded the chaplaincy program for the hospital, served on the county council on child abuse, was a board member of ARC, spiritual counselor for several years for two Addiction Care Centers, a member of the Wabash County Hospital Community Relations Board and winner of Very Special Person award from that hospital.  In Shelbyville he was on the formative committee for Campside Ministry for Lake Shelbyville and throughout the years aided at Bible Camps.  Jim trained several teachers in the Bethel Bible studies and represented the Lutheran Synod at a national church convention.  He was on the Stewardship committee at Holy Love for several years and assisted with Confirmation classes as a mentor for several youth.  He also helped in pastoral roles when asked. 

Jim and Pam took a trip to the Holy Land which was a lifelong dream fulfilled.  Jim retired from full-time ministry in 2002 after training for Interim ministry.  He and Pam moved to Aurora, Colorado, where they joined the Holy Love Lutheran church.  He then served as interim pastor in Broomfield, Strasburg, Fort Morgan, Bethune, and Limon and when not serving an interim would fill in as supply pastor at churches where needed on a Sunday. The Holy Love congregation recognized his 50 years in the ministry with a bench which is on the west side of the church grounds and his 60^th year of ordination was recognized recently in church also.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pamela, 3 sons Paul (Nadine), Timothy (Kathleen), and Jeremy; grandson, Alex, and granddaughters Alyssa (Cory), Sienna, and Olive and a great-granddaughter Calyn Mae, and his sister Diann Pleiness.  He was preceded in death by grandparents, parents, and brother Richard.

A celebration of James Engel’s life will be held on Saturday, November 21, Holy Love Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO. located at 4210 S. Chambers Rd. at 11:00 A.M.   Pastor Brittany Kooi will preside, and a luncheon will follow the service.

Memorials may be made to Holy Love Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, or the Alzheimer, Heart, or Kidney Foundations.