Van Kierstead

Chief of Sinners, Saved by Grace (...Pastor)

Van Kierstead

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.”

Galatians 2:20-21

 

Living a full and purpose-filled life—crucified with Christ. That’s what Van has been striving for since he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on August 9, 1976—not that he has attained it, but he celebrates each forward step along the way. And all those steps backwards? That's where forgiveness comes in. Either way, in strength and weakness, Van relies on God's grace to see him through.

Van is a bi-vocational pastor. His other vocation is teaching Speech at Skyview High School in Nampa, Idaho. He has been bi-vocational throughout his ministry of over 30 years—so far, so good.

In 1994, Van brought his family to Nampa to begin the work at New Covenant. The church began by meeting in a local grade school for the first year but has since moved to its current location at 624 Lake Lowell Avenue (next to Centennial Grade School).

Van is married to April. They live in an “empty nest” which occasionally fills up again with the voices of their family including four of the best grandchildren ever!

May the joy of knowing Christ be yours today.