Our Church

Meet the Pastor

Pastor Lorie Burnett Tatum

Raised in South Los Angeles, Rev. Tatum, an alumnus of Biola University, LaMirada, California and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, California, began his call to Word and Sacrament ministry service in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at Ascension Lutheran Church, Los Angeles in 2005. His internship and early pastoral journey led him to Messiah Lutheran Church, South Los Angeles, the historic Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, First Lutheran Church of Carson, California, New Hope Lutheran Church in Queens, New York, and the Saint Stephen's Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, New York.  As a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic, he returned to California to serve as the interim pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School, North Hollywood.  Beyond his congregational work, Rev. Tatum is recognized for his extensive involvement in faith-rooted, community based organizing.  His advocacy and civic engagement work led to statewide faith and community partnerships across several counties in the State of California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside). The areas of focus were Parent Engagement in Public Schools, Consumer Public Utility Reforms, and Voter REP (registration, education and participation) campaigns.   Rev. Tatum enjoys family time with his wife, Arlene, and adult children (Shafari, Jordan, Sydney) and grandson (Jaxon).  His hobbies are exercising, cycling, travel and being at the beach.