Here I Am, Lord!1 min read

This past Sunday, Rev. Dietrick A. Gladden was installed as a Michigan District Missionary at Large – Detroit. He recently accepted the call from the Michigan District to serve Mount Calvary and Charity Lutheran Churches in Detroit. Rev. Gladden will also sit on the Camp Restore Detroit board. Prior to becoming a pastor, he served in the United States Navy and held leadership roles as a pro/semi-pro roller hockey director, travel coach, instructor, and player.

A graduate of St. Louis Seminary’s EIIT program, Rev. Gladden was ordained in 2013 and called to serve St. Paul Community Lutheran Church in Pontiac, Mich. where he had already been deployed by St. Stephen, Waterford to work as a deacon since 2006. Through God’s grace and the support of sister Lutheran churches, the Michigan District, and dedicated volunteers, the Gospel was brought to the diverse, multicultural city.

In 2017, Rev. Gladden accepted the call to Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Santa Ana, Calif. where he was blessed to minister to the English and Spanish speaking community.

“What a God-send … We’re eager to see how God will work through this new partnership with Mt. Calvary, Charity, and Pastor Gladden bringing the message of hope in Jesus to Detroit’s east side,” shares Rev. Dr. Robert Kasper, Michigan District Assistant to the President – Congregation Mission and Ministries, Metro Zone / Ministry Support and preacher at the installation service.

Rev. Gladden met his wife, Rebecca, while stationed in San Diego, Calif. They have four grown children and three granddaughters.

_{Photos and video by Jeff Heisner/Michigan District, LCMS}