Dave Shasky retired in December 2014 after pastoring both the Redmond and Sisters churches for the past 10 years. That began the hunt for a new pastor.
The Redmond Church kept things going with guest speakers. Elders and deacons kept things running smoothly as possible with local speakers Merle Greenway and Larry Von Pohle. Retired pastor Norman Versteeg also filled in. After a year of looking for a new pastor, Versteeg agreed to serve as interim pastor until a permanent pastor could be found.
Members' prayers for a new pastor were answered when Versteeg decided to come out of retirement and become pastor of the Redmond and Sisters churches.
Versteeg began pastoring in 1968. He first served in Garden Grove, Calif., for 14 years and then in Irvine, Calif., for 11 years.
The Southeastern California Conference hired his wife, Dottie, in 1972 as an associate. She joined the ministerial department in 1980 to provide care for pastors' spouses. Versteegs ministered together for three years in San Diego, Calif., and eight years in Riverside, Calif., until they retired in 2005 and moved to Bend, Ore.
The Versteegs both love being in ministry. Norm is a shepherd and has enjoyed being in a church family with so much visitation. He and Dottie feel God has entrusted them with different gifts, which they enjoy using together to bless His sheep.
Dottie says Norm loves being "recycled" and is grateful to be with church families in Redmond and Sisters. The Versteegs' prayer is that all their members keep growing together in becoming reflections of Jesus.
Dottie and Norman Versteeg have come out of retirement to pastor the Redmond and Sisters churches.
