Our Pastor

Pastor Dave Thomas – Transitional Pastor – Living Word Lutheran Church – Buda, Texas

I’m so honored and excited to journey with Living Word Lutheran in this transitional time! This period can also be a blessed time of growing tighter as a community of faith, firming up who you believe God is calling you to be based both on your faithful history but also the amazing opportunities for mission and ministry these days and in the days and years ahead. It’s also a great time for remembering and honoring your past as well as looking forward in faith to the future God has planned and promised his faithful followers.

By way of an introduction to those I haven’t had the honor of meeting yet, I was born in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri, moved to Arizona as a young adult, graduated with a degree in journalism from Arizona State University, worked with the Christian Relief and Development organization Food for the Hungry in Africa in the 1990’s, attended seminary in California and Minnesota, and have served congregations and synods in California, Idaho, Arizona, and Washington. So, I’ve been around a fair bit.

I came to Texas in January after serving a church for ten years in the greater Seattle area, having led them into partnership with five other nearby ELCA congregations, resulting in the formation of the Eastside Lutheran Church Collaboration. Each congregation remains autonomous but they are no longer alone - sharing ministry, mission, clergy, staff, and the conviction that they can do more together than alone.

Helping congregations to boldly and joyfully reflect God’s missional, relational, and grace-filled nature is at the core of my sense of calling. And that’s brought me to Texas, Buda and Living Word!

Some other personal info: I and my wife live intergenerationally with our son, his wife, and Pastor Dave’s now 19-month-old granddaughter in far north San Marcos -  I enjoy traveling, hiking, fly fishing, and golfing. We’re having a great time exploring the Austin to San Antonio corrido and beyond. If you have a favorite hike, drive, restaurant, or local adult beverage place for us to try, be sure to let me know. I’m looking forward to getting to know you, too!