Pastor Herb Beyer Surprised With Party To Celebrate His 40th Ordination Anniversary

At a surprise party on Sunday, Sept. 12 hosted by Zion Lutheran Church, Moulton, the Rev. Herbert C. Beyer, Jr. celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination in the Lutheran Church.

Pastor Beyer had just presided that morning at services in West Point and Moulton and was asked to come to the church office. When he walked into Luther Hall at Zion, he was greeted by family members and parishioners for an ordination celebration coordinated by the Administrative Assistant Mimi Richter. Not known for being speechless, Pastor Beyer was for a few moments. He would later express his appreciation to those gathered and the churches he serves for their support and partnership in ministry. Pastor Beyer has been especially grateful for the support and encouragement he received from his then girlfriend (now wife) Lisa, family members and his home church in discerning a call to become an ordained pastor.

Pastor Beyer was ordained on Sept. 13, 1981 by Bishop Arthur Rode at his home congregation of Hope Lutheran Church, San Antonio. He was called to serve as Lead Pastor of the congregations of the Tri-County Cooperative Ministries, ELCA—Faith Lutheran Church, Weimar; Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sublime; St. Peter Lutheran Church, West Point; Evangelical Lutheran Church, Witting; and Zion Lutheran Church, Moulton (Jan. 1, 2003-present). He is assisted in this geographic parish by Rev. John Hunsicker, Rev. Dr. Faye Schott, and Rev. Laird Engle. All of Pastor Beyer’s ordained ministry has been served in the Bluebonnet Conference (previously known as the Victoria Conference) of ELCA Congregations in the Southwestern Texas Synod. He worked to develop the first cooperative ministry or geographic parish with shared staff in the Southwestern Texas Synod and through the years other such cooperative ministries have begun.

Pastor Beyer also served St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville (1985-2007); United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Shiner (2003-2007); and St. Paul Presbyterian Church, Schulenburg for about 1 ½ years on an interim basis while at the same time serving as Lead Pastor for TCCM congregations; and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Arneckeville (1981-1985). A native Texan, Pastor Beyer was born in San Antonio. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in San Antonio and his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He also studied at the Goethe Institute in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany and at the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio.

Pastor Beyer is married to Lisa Gail Breland Beyer (May 21, 1977). Their son Joshua and daughter-in-law Christina and grandchildren Jordan, Luke and Maddie live in San Antonio. Lisa retired from Dow Chemical as a chemical engineer in June of 2020. Pastor Herb and Lisa live on their farm near the Hackberry community – the Oaks Farm – doing organic gardening and raising Dexter cattle.

Pastor Beyer commented about his 40 years: “It has been filled with many occasions of joy and celebration—the baptisms of children and adults, welcoming new persons into our churches, weddings and anniversaries, and so many church gatherings; in the privilege of bringing Word, sacrament and prayer; in offering comfort and care to the sick, dying and grieving; in working with so many fine community and church leaders and clergy and congregations of a variety of Christian denominations and the larger Church; and in developing long-term friendships. Occasionally, there have been times of dealing with challenging persons who also need to experience the grace and love of God. Having grown up in San Antonio and marrying an engineer, I never imagined serving a rural, small town setting. But without any regrets, my wife and I are so very glad to call this home and to know so many people as our family and friends. We thank God for this blessed and continuing journey.”