Rev. Richard Strait

I grew up and graduated from High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. I received a B.A. in Psychology from Hanover College, Hanover Indiana, in 1966, and a M.S. in University Personnel Administration from Indiana University in 1968. I worked in University Residence Hall Administration at Indiana University (Bloomington), University of Wisconsin (Madison), the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), and The University of Texas (Austin).

In 1976 I began exploring the possibility of pastoral ministry. After working as an Assistant to the Pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Austin for four years I entered The Seminary of the Southwest in Austin in 1980 and graduated with a M.Div. in 1986. I served churches in Buda, Menard-Eden, and Victoria, Texas before transferring to Wisconsin and served churches in Prairie du Chien, Eau Claire, and Brookfield, Wisconsin. I officially retired in 2012 and moved back to Texas.

However, I jokingly say I failed retirement. In 2017 I happily agreed to accept an interim call to serve the Bethel-Christ Lutheran Churches in Ericksdahl Community-Avoca and Stamford, Texas. In many ways I feel like I have come home. My wife, Renée, and I were married in 1989; she grew up in Stamford, and her grandfather was the pastor at the Bethel church for over 45 years. While I did not have the pleasure and honor to meet the legendary Rev. Dr. Hugo Haterius, living in the parsonage and serving in the church he was instrumental in building, and in which Renée and her family grew up, is a tremendous honor and privilege. 

Without hesitation, I invite and encourage anyone moving to or passing through the Stamford-Ericksdahl area to visit this historic, vital, and active congregation. Thirteen miles southeast of Stamford, surrounded by cotton, cattle and oil some have said we are in the middle of nowhere…the fact is, we are in the center of everything in the middle of God’s country! Come worship with us, the door is never locked, and All are welcome (and All means All)!!