Map of U.S. Meet The Moderator
October 5, 2014

Meet The Moderator, Nate Dreesmann | Presbytery of The West

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Beginning his ministry

One of the first sermons I remember hearing when I was in middle school was from John 4: the account of the Samaritan Woman. I remember being captivated by this amazing man named Jesus, who cared for and reached out to this woman who clearly felt the shame of her life journey. Jesus revealed to her that He was the Messiah and that she could have eternal life through Him. After hearing the sermon I knew that my life would forever be changed. A few months later at summer camp, I joyfully welcomed Jesus the Son of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords who died for our sins, into my life and have walked with Christ since that day.

God has blessed me greatly. I have a wonderful family. My wife Cari and I are raising our four children in Jerome, ID—a place I never thought I would be, and yet at this point in my life, I could not imagine living anywhere else. I have been given the incredible privilege of having mentors who have poured into my life, and have taken me under their wings to disciple and train me to be a minister. I have enjoyed serving in both small and medium-size churches like First Presbyterian Church of Gridley, CA, First Presbyterian Church of Walla Walla, WA, and larger churches like First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa, CA and First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, CA. I spent 16 years working in youth, family, and camping ministries, and I’m currently celebrating my 20th year of ministry!

Looking forward to what’s ahead

First Presbyterian Church of Jerome, ID and I joined ECO on October 1, 2012. I have helped to create the Ordination process for ECO, served as the Chair of the Pastoral Ministry Ordination Team for the Presbytery of the West, and now have the honor of serving as the Moderator of the Presbytery of the West.

The West is currently one of the largest geographic presbyteries and it’s constantly growing. Our goal is to become smaller. By this, I mean that as churches continue to come into the Presbytery of the West, we will continue birthing new Presbyteries with established churches moving in from different denominations, and the development of new church plants. What an exciting time to be a part of ECO! We are going through the growing pains of a new organization; while at the same time trying to do our best to create something new that is not a reaction to our past, but a reformation of our past. Every day brings with it new challenges and really exciting movements of the Holy Spirit in the church.

As the moderator, what I want to bring to ECO’s Presbytery of the West is a commitment to partnering with churches. I want to be committed to the hard work of meeting each church where they are, rather than forcing them to fit inside a preconceived box.

I desire to walk alongside pastors to help support them and encourage them as they live into the call God has for their lives. I want to help cultivate a presbytery that seeks innovation, creativity, and most of all a commitment to discerning and following the leading of the Holy Spirit; not as an afterthought, but as the guiding hand of Christ who is the Head of the Church. I am honored to serve Christ as well as my sisters and brothers as the moderator of this awesome Presbytery.

nate-dreesman-jerome-id-eco

Pastor Nate Dreesmann serves as Pastor/Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church Jerome, ID and is the moderator of ECO’s Presbytery of the West. He is passionate about church revitalization, creating new worshipping communities, mentoring future leaders, and helping to create the ECO ordination process.


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