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New pastor loves Sherwood - Former chemical company executive relishes change from large city to rural living

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By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

SHERWOOD -- Before Rev. Mark DeLassus moved to rural Sherwood three months ago, the smallest community he's ever lived was Fort Wayne.

"Fort Wayne was actually small compared to where I resided previously," said the personable new pastor of St. John Lutheran Church. "I spent my first 28 years in Chicago and the next 28 in Hartford, Conn."

Not unlike many second-career pastors, DeLassus took an interesting path to the clergy. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Valparaiso University, an MBA from Northwestern University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Connecticut. He is a 2009 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, earning a master's of divinity degree.

"I think I'm done with school now," he grinned.

DeLassus spent his "first career" as a chemical company executive in Chicago and Connecticut, advancing through the ranks from lab chemist to sales and marketing to vice president.

"It got to the point where I told myself there must be something else in life," he said. "I actually was happy with the company and loved my boss, (retired) Gen. Walt Boomer, who was commanding general of the Marines during Desert Storm."

A lifelong Lutheran, DeLassus' spiritual journey traversed down a different road following a stop at a Detroit trade show about six years ago.

"I arrived a couple days early, so I decided to drive down to Fort Wayne for the Mid-Continent Conference basketball tournament (his alma mater, Valparaiso, was a participant). My brother is also a Valpo graduate, so he drove over from Chicago and met me."

While in the "Summit City" and during a break in the games, his brother suggested they drive over to see Concordia Seminary.

"I looked around the campus and it got me thinking," said DeLassus. "I said to myself, 'I can do this.' "

Two years later, he enrolled.

"During the first two years of seminary, you are assigned to an area congregation as a field worker. You come on Sunday morning and assist the pastor with the services. I was assigned to St. John-Sherwood under Rev. (Bob) Eble."

DeLassus said he enjoyed the Concordia curriculum, even Biblical Greek and Hebrew. He called it "typical Missouri Synod training."

"After my second year, my wife and I drove to South Dakota and Montana for a vacation. That's when I saw what 'rural' was really like. Sherwood is not rural. It's more like country suburban compared to the places I saw once we crossed the Missouri River into South Dakota."

DeLassus did not learn until last spring that he would receive a call to the same church he served as a fledgling seminarian.

"We were thrilled when we found out. You really don't have much influence in where you go -- I had good friends who were sent to Nebraska and Mississippi. My wife and I each have family in Chicago, so this was a great location for us. We already knew most of the people, too."

The church is located at 9088 Openlander Road, near Lockwood Road. Sunday worship is 10:15 a.m., preceded by Sunday school at 9 a.m. Services are traditional with choir and organ.

"We have a great choir," said DeLassus. "We typically have about 25 and I'm told it grows to over 40 for our annual Christmas cantata. This summer we had 75 kids here for VBS. It's a very involved congregation filled with people who are really tuned in to the needs of the community."

St. John Lutheran will celebrate its 150th anniversary over the next several months with a series of events beginning with a special afternoon service on Nov. 14. The congregation, which has about 600 members, is also mulling plans to add a larger fellowship hall in the next few years.

DeLassus and his wife, Maureen, have two adult children: Laura, Chicago; and Matthew, Hartford.

"Our transition here has been smooth," he stated. "We enjoy riding our bicycles down Lockwood Road. Last week, we went to a (Fairview) football game and it was packed.

"We are very happy to be in Sherwood and look forward to ministering with the wonderful people here."