Rev. Jonathan Asmus retires

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – On June 29, 2025, Redeemer Lutheran Church hosted an afternoon worship celebration to mark the retirement of Rev. Jonathan Asmus.

Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns preached for the event, with a sermon entitled “Hold Fast!” based on Acts 15:11. Also joining the event alongside the congregation was Circuit Counsellor Andrew McDonald and Okanagan Circuit pastors: Rev. Dr. Norm Threinen, Rev. Jef Koenig, Rev. Scott Gamble, and Rev. James Wood.

Rev. Asmus began serving Redeemer in April 2008, when he re-entered pastoral ministry after a hiatus of 19 years, during which time he worked various jobs, including almost ten years with IBM. He served Redeemer first as a full-time pastoral assistant, under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Norm Threinen. In June 2009, he was called to serve full time as pastor of Redeemer. Looking back, Rev. Asmus reflects on the growth of faith and ministry through regular worship, Bible Study, visits to homebound members; on community outreach through West Kelowna’s yearly Canada Day Parade; and, more recently, on the congregation’s outreach through the Light Up event in early December.

Rev. Asmus (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 1984) received his first call, which brought him to Canada, to serve as Missionary-at-Large at the Lutheran Mission in Kincardine, Ontario. His father, Rev. Gary Asmus, preached at the afternoon service when he was ordained and installed there on March 24, 1985, into the Ontario District of the LCMS. He served two years, two months in that position.

From January to August 1988, he served a vacancy at Grace Lutheran in Oshawa, Ontario. He was in attendance at the founding convention of LCC in Winnipeg in June 1988. Shortly afterward, he accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, Iowa, as Assistant Pastor, where he served from September 1988 until the end of 1990. His son, Simon, was born there in 1989.

From 1991 to Spring 2008, Jonathan was a member at Grace Lutheran in Oshawa. There he enjoyed volunteer work with the Sunday School, VBS, and many years as a tenor in the choir and several years also as choir director.

Rev. Jonathan’s last message as the full-time pastor of Redeemer Lutheran, West Kelowna, was entitled “Jesus’ Everlasting Impression” (Luke 9:51-62). Video of that service, as well as the retirement service, can be seen online via the Worship Videos link at www.RedeemerWKelowna.org.

Rev. Jonathan Asmus, Emeritus West Kelowna, BC.

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