Our Pastor

Pastor Rod was called to serve as the leader of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on August 4, 2024, following a congregational vote. He brings a distinguished record of pastoral and educational service, most recently serving as the Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Los Angeles since 2016. His leadership extended beyond the church as the Director of Choral Activities at KIPP Scholar Academy from 2014 to 2024 and as a Choral and Applied Music Instructor at King Drew Medical Magnet High School from 2009 to 2014.

Pastor Rod holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Music Performance from Loyola Marymount University (2001) and a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary (2003). In 2018, he further expanded his theological training through the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program at California Lutheran University.

Since 2003, Pastor Rod has been married to his wife, Shandra. Together, they share a deep commitment to their ministry, community, and the pursuit of spiritual and personal growth.

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Contact Pastor Rod at: (818)348-8343 or PastorRod@sovls.org