Zion Lutheran Staff

Rev. Clyde Kieschnick, Pastor
Pastor K was born and raised in Lee County, near Lincoln, TX. He is a graduate of St. John’s Academy, Winfield, KS, and a graduate of St. John’s Jr. College, also of Winfield, in 1972. It was there he met his wife Ellen and they were married in 1973. Pastor K graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1976 and attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1978-80 and 1988-89. After completing a vicarage at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, IA, he was ordained and installed as the first assistant pastor in 1990. In October of 1996 he accepted the call to serve as the senior pastor in Garner and served that call until March of 2002 when he accepted the call to serve at Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas.
Pastor K is a “second career” pastor whose other occupations included working as a dairy farmer, being employed with the US Postal Office, and as a representative for Aid Association for Lutherans. In his free time, PK enjoys gardening, golfing, fishing, hunting and brewing wine and beer. He and Ellen have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren.
To contact Pastor K, call 325-690-0121 (W), call 325-864-1036 (C), or email.

Josh Rucker, Young Adult Ministries & Worship
Josh has been involved with music and ministry his entire life. He learned to play the piano at the age of 10 and has been adding instruments to his repertoire ever since. His background in the Church of Christ and several choirs also gave him a passion for singing. In 2006, he joined Zion Lutheran Church and became a confirmed Lutheran so that he could better use both his instrumental and vocal talents to serve.
Suzanne Rhodes, Church Secretary
As Administrative Assistant Suzanne assists the Pastor and DCE, and various boards. She compiles all of the church service bulletins, announcement page, calendars, schedules, and the quarterly newsletter and any other publications for Zion. She also handles the scheduling of events and the rental of the church facilities, and assists the accountant in paying of the bills.
Suzanne is married to Gary Rhodes, they have 3 grown children and five precious grandchildren. Suzanne has worked at Zion Lutheran since August 1999. Gary is an independent insurance agent and owns Rhodes Insurance Agency. He is also an ordained Deacon at Holy Family Catholic Church where they both attend. Suzanne’s greatest passions are her faith and her family.