Pastor: Wally Kimari

Pastor Wally Kimari was born in New York city and raised in San Diego. He was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church, attended Christ Lutheran day school and graduated from Valhalla High School. He received a BA from Concordia Irvine (Christ College) and a Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He has served in multiple districts including SELC, English and Northeast. Several other duties and accomplishments in his life have been being a circuit visitor, conference committee, vicarage supervisor, Kiwanis, served on Lutheran High school board, was a High School sports referee for 20 years, ran for city council in Oregon, and was invited to open a new legislative session at the Oregon state Capitol with Invocation and prayer.
Pastor Kimari has been blessed with son Benjamin, daughter Kylie, son-in-law Zac and Granddaughter Elaina. He also has several siblings including his brother Andy, Sister-in-law Peggy and his sister Gail.
Pastor Wally states; “The most important to me is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and living life as His disciple. I thank God He has called me to the Pastoral ministry and am excited about Christian ministry with fellow believers at Atonement and Bethany. My confirmation verse: ‘(Jesus said) Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.’ -Matthew 6:33. Thank you all for being here today and may the grace and love of God be with you.”
Pastor Kimari was installed to Atonement and Bethany Lutheran on Sunday, November 12th, 2023.
He has served in multiple districts including SELC, English and Northeast. Several other duties and accomplishments in his life have been being a circuit visitor, conference committee, vicarage supervisor, Kiwanis, served on Lutheran High school board, was a High School sports referee for 20 years, ran for city council in Oregon, and was invited to open a new legislative session at the Oregon state Capitol with Invocation and prayer.
Pastor Kimari has been blessed with son Benjamin, daughter Kylie, son-in-law Zac and Granddaughter Elaina. He also has several siblings including his brother Andy, Sister-in-law Peggy and his sister Gail.
Pastor Wally states; “The most important to me is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and living life as His disciple. I thank God He has called me to the Pastoral ministry and am excited about Christian ministry with fellow believers at Atonement and Bethany. My confirmation verse: ‘(Jesus said) Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.’ -Matthew 6:33. Thank you all for being here today and may the grace and love of God be with you.”
Pastor Kimari was installed to Atonement and Bethany Lutheran on Sunday, November 12th, 2023.
Choir Director/Organist: Elaine Heidtbrink

Elaine Heidtbrink grew up in rural Nebraska as the youngest of six children. Her father and grandfather were both Lutheran pastors. Elaine began studying piano at the age of 6 and began studying the organ at age 14. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, NE with a double major in science and english and a minor in in church music. While at Concordia she took 4 years of piano and organ as well as classes in music theory and choral training. Elaine began playing for Atonement as a long term substitute which eventually turned into a permanent position. In addition to playing for Sunday worship Elaine directs choir and handbells. Elaine looks forward to continued ministry at Atonement and is excited about several projects we've begun to enhance our worship and further build our music program.
Custodian: Dart Moody

ADMINISTRATIVE Assistant: Shenoah Riess
Shenoah Riess has been our admin assistant since 2015. She is a born and raised San Diegan Lutheran and has a long history of church workers in her family, her mother being Atonement's organist and her Grandfather and Great Grandfather both being Lutheran Pastors. Shenoah began attending Atonement her senior year of high school and has become very involved in the church. She enjoys working for the Lord.
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