Rev. A. Preston Van Deursen

Thirty-six years ago, the Rev. A. Preston Van Deursen first arrived at the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown, as a struggling child from a troubled home. Four years ago, he returned to his home... this time not to reap the benefits of charity, but to give something back.

"This way I could give something back to the Masonic Homes and the people who took care of me," he said.

That is exactly what he has done. Since July 3, 1995, Pastor Van Deursen has served as Assistant in Pastoral Care at the Masonic Homes. On September 1, he will take over the leadership position of Director of Pastoral Care upon the retirement of the Rev. Charles H. Lacquement, D.D.

"I am very pleased to know that my 25 years in ministry at the Masonic Homes will be carried on by such a caring and compassionate minister," Pastor Lacquement said.

Pastor Van Deursen came to the Masonic Homes from inner-city Philadelphia in 1963 at age nine, along with his four younger sisters, ranging in age from one to six.

"I'm grateful for growing up here because our home situation was less than ideal," Pastor Van Deursen said.

Pastor Van Deursen spent eight years in the Masonic Children's Home and was graduated from Elizabeth-town Area High School in 1972 at age 17. In 1976, Van Deursen was graduated from Lenoir-Phyne College in Hickory, NC, with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Psychology, then from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC, in 1980 with a Master's Degree of Divinity.

Prior to his employment with the Masonic Homes, Pastor Van Deursen assisted in, and led, various Lutheran congregations in Ohio; the most recent was the First Lutheran Church in Bellefontaine. He also founded and organized two soup kitchens in Logan County that fed 300-plus people per evening, served as executive director for Lutheran Community Services, and was responsible for the Church's interaction with Luther Manor, a federally-subsidized housing project for low income elderly and disabled individuals.

Pastor Van Deursen lives in Elizabethtown with his wife, Brenda, who works as an administrative assistant for the Masonic Homes; his daughters, Ashley Nicole, 14, and Allison Lee, 13; and his son, Aaron William, 11.

Pastor Van Deursen feels that he may have been destined for his profession; "Preston" by definition means: "He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest" -- Heb. 3:17. Indeed, Pastor Van Deursen strives to live his life in accordance to this definition.

Associate Applicants Sought

Due to the upcoming retirements of Pastor Lacquement and Pastor Theodore Bowers from the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown, candidates are being sought to fill several associate pastor positions. Anyone interested in joining the Pastoral Care team at the Masonic Homes may send his or her resume to: Mrs. Carolyn J. Bair, Director of Human Resources, Masonic Homes, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, or call (717) 361-4522 for more information. The Masonic Homes is an equal opportunity employer.