The Rev. Sean Avery was called by Joy Lutheran Church to be their pastor beginning in July 2021. Sean holds a Master of Divinity from degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He was awarded an ELCA Fund for Leaders Scholarship in 2017 and subsequently served on the Fund for Leaders Leadership Table from 2018 to 2023.
Prior to being ordained a pastor, Sean earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Western Washington University. Sean worked in law enforcement for 11 years as a police dispatcher and reserve sheriff’s deputy in Washington State.
He served as a church musician in various congregations for nearly 20 years and at Wartburg. He is passionate about creativity in worship, building community, and faith formation for young people.
Sean currently serves on the ELCA Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church and on the multi-generational advisory team for the ELCA’s Future Church initiative.
He and his wife, Becky, enjoy spending time outdoors taking walks and camping with their dogs, Ivy and Ole. Both of them are die-hard fans of Seattle Mariners Baseball and the Seattle Opera. Since moving to Alaska they are learning how to fish for salmon and are always looking for a new place to explore!
