Rev. Dr. Denver Bitner

It has been my privilege to serve Zion Church since 1972. I came to Zion after service as a vista volunteer in Baltimore, Maryland and the completion of studies in theology at Wittenberg University. After 7 years the congregation encouraged my call to the ordained ministry and I completed the requirements for ordination at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. I was called to serve as a pastor of the church and have served several positions in the church including senior pastor for the last 15 years.

Zion is an exciting and dynamic congregation which has engaged its community and neighborhood in ministry filled with God’s spirit of love and care for all people. I can’t think of another church which so embodies the spirit of service that Jesus calls us to in the scriptures. I invite you to come and share the warmth of this caring congregation and learn what it means to follow Jesus in ministries of love and compassion.

Rev Gerald Peterson

Since the fall of 1998, I have been serving as Zion’s Visitation Pastor – a ministry to the shut-in members of our congregation. I am a retired pastor - not too many years younger than the members upon whom I call. In my visits I share news of the congregation and encourage these friends to share their stories. We take time for the reading of the Scriptures and for Holy Communion.

My undergraduate degree is from the University of Illinois, and I did my seminary work at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Our family came to Rockford in 1971 after I had served a parish in Jacksonville, IL for ten years. I was then the Pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church for 27 years prior to retirement.

My part-time ministry as Zion’s Visitation Pastor has brought me into contact with dozens of dear saints of the church from the generation just ahead of me. I also have responsibility for Zion’s Special Ministries Committee. Being part of an inner-city church like Zion and seeing its amazing ministry has opened up anew world to me. The God we know in Jesus is truly at work here.

Pastoral Intern Elizabeth Davis

I am blessed to be serving Zion as Pastoral Intern. I am excited to be joining Zion's staff and congregation for the year of August 2007-August 2008, my "internship year". During this year, I will be refining my gifts for ministry as I join in the diverse and vibrant ministries of Zion.

Internship is part of my study and preparation for becoming a pastor. I am a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA, where I will return for my final year. I completed my undergraduate degree at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, where I majored in Family Studies, Psychology, and Religion.

Internship is an exciting time for me, as I hope it will be for those with whom I work and serve! I am especially involved in the leadership of adult ministries, but will be leading and learning from the many ministry opportunities at Zion and in the Rockford area. Zion is a church with a strong commitment to serving Christ by loving the neighbor, where there are opportunities for many gifts to be shared. I hope you will join me in ministry!