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  Joe Petersen

  Children's Pastor

 

I was born and raised (on good old Nebraska beef and Grandpa’s sweet corn) on a dairy farm just north of Tilden, NE.  I gave my life to the Lord and was immersed into Christ at a little church camp down by Willow Island, NE at the age of 9.  I am the youngest of 9 children all of which sing and play musical instruments.  When I was 2 my family began to travel around the eastern part of the state on weekends putting on gospel concerts.  Praise and worship has always played a big part in my life and is still a passion of mine.  

I met my wife (to be) at that same church camp when I was 9, and 11 years later we joined hands together with the Lord and vowed to spend eternity together.  I farmed with my father the first few years out of high school and then we moved to the western end of the state where we farmed for a couple of more years.  In January of 1987 the Lord called me to accept the position of Principal for the Gering Christian Academy in Gering, NE.  This is where the ministry of working with children began and grew for the next 13 ½ years.  During this time I served 11 years in the Navy Reserves as an Equipment operator and 7 of those years I was a Military Instructor. We began ministering here at the WestWay Christian Church as Pastor of Children’s Ministries on September 10, 2001. We call this home and Lord willing we will be able to serve Him here for many years to come.

My wife Sheryl and I have been blessed with 6 children and 2 son-in-laws, Miranda & Jeff Matteson, Bethany & Rick Jolliffe, Cody, Kayla, Shane and Austin, one granddaughter--Kadence Joy Matteson and one grandson--Brayden Scott Matteson. 

If you have any questions about the children’s ministries here at WestWay, please call me at the church office or contact me by e-mail at joe@westwaychurch.com.

For more thoughts from Joe, click here.