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The Rev. Dr. John A Dalles
jdalles@wekivapresbyterian.org
John is Pastor and Head of Staff of Wekiva.
He is a graduate of Penn State (Bachelor of Science in Architecture), Lancaster
Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
(Doctor of Ministry). Before coming to Wekiva, he served as Minister of
Congregational Life at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh (1986-1997)
and as Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of South Bend (1982-1986).
In May 1997, John was called to Wekiva. About
his ministry, he says, "God has a unique purpose for this church.
We are a center of prayer and praise to God, and a place of learning and
growth, guided by the Holy Spirit. We are the church, in as much as we
remain committed to serving God and God’s people, and inviting others to
share the extraordinary journey of faithfulness. My goal is encouraging
church members to see themselves as representatives of Jesus Christ and
Wekiva, wherever they are. As the church is scattered into the homes, schools
neighborhoods and commerce of our city, we do the work of the Lord. And,
as we reach further a field, in our prayers, travels and mission activities,
we fulfill Christ’s Great Commission". Under John’s leadership, Wekiva
has engaged in a comprehensive time of renewal including a $1.9 million
Vision Initiative and experienced growth in all areas of discipleship and
church life. He has chaired the Theology & Worship Committee of Presbytery
and now serves on the COM. He was a 2004 commissioner to General Assembly
Before Wekiva, John served at Fox Chapel,
where duties included worship leadership and preaching, spiritual growth,
congregational life, pastoral care, adult education, and new member outreach.
In May 1994, he was conferred the Doctor of Ministry by Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary for research in pastoral leadership in the multi-staff church.
He instituted Stephen Ministry and served the Presbytery's Preparation
for Ministry Committee. Before serving in Pittsburgh, John was Associate
Pastor of First Presbyterian South Bend, a "generalist" associate
pastor, with responsibilities for education, mission and pastoral care.
He was also liaison to the church-owned resident camp. He served the council
of religious organizations, the Worship Task Force and Discipleship/Church
Life Committee of Wabash Valley Presbytery, the St. Joseph County Scholarship
Foundation, and was a founding member of Notre Dame Civitan and South Bend
Habitat for Humanity.
Ordained by Donegal Presbytery in August
1982, John is a life-long Presbyterian who has lived in Pittsburgh, Coatesville,
Lancaster and State College PA, Petworth (England), San Diego CA and South
Bend IN. while studying in Petworth, sensed a call to ministry, but was
employed in architecture prior to divinity studies. During seminary, he
was a resource consultant for the original parish Resource Center in Lancaster.
Author of numerous hymn texts, John’s "Come, O spirit" and "God
Bless Your Church" are in the Presbyterian Hymnal. His hymns are also
in: The New Century Hymnal, The Moravian Book of Worship, Worship Together,
The Covenant Hymnal, The Book of Praise (Presbyterian Church in Canada)
and The Australian Book of Praise II. His commissioned hymns include those
for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday, Augsburg, Goshen, Maryville, Tusculum,
Wilson and Knox (Toronto) Colleges, American University, Pittsburgh and
Lancaster Seminaries, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and the Lutheran World
Federation. A member of The Hymn Society, he is listed in the Dictionary
of International Biography, Who’s Who and the American Dictionary of Hymnology
Project. His works are catalogued at Oberlin College Library and represented
by GIA Publications.
 John’s
interests include architecture, the Arts and Crafts movement, hymnody,
gardening, old movies, travel and "reading, reading, reading".
John is married to the former Judith Ann Taylor, a South Bend native, lifelong
Presbyterian, and registered oncology nurse. They are the parents of two
children.
John's first collection of hymn texts, Swift
Currents and Still Waters, is available from GIA
Publications, Inc.
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