Pastor Russ Lackey Announces Departure

January 25, 2023

Dr. Rachelle K. Keck, Grand View University President, has announced the departure of Pastor Russ Lackey at the end of the academic year. 

Pastor Lackey has accepted a call to return home to California to be the pastor of Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona Del Mar. This exciting opportunity will allow him to be close to his extended family, including his daughter, who will be attending college nearby.

During the past 11 years, Russ’s passion has been transformational for our students, faculty, staff and community. In addition to his spiritual guidance, support and teachings, he helped raise $4 million to establish the Rasmussen-Skow Campus Pastor Chair, the LBIC Chair and the Forde Professorship. In addition, more than $2 million was raised to establish the Nexus Youth Theology Institute and The Moses Project. The most visible accomplishment was the $5 million Luther Memorial Church building and remodeling project he spearheaded.

President Keck says, "I want to thank Russ for his many years of dedicated service to the University, Campus Ministry and Luther Memorial Church. Since my arrival on campus, Russ has been a trusted advisor and valuable member of the President’s Council. His boundless energy and enthusiasm for the success of Grand View and our community is exemplary, and he will be greatly missed. Dr. Lackey has assured me he will continue to pray for and support GV from afar."

Grand View will work collaboratively with the church council to launch a nationwide search to find the right pastor for the University and Luther Memorial.