FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PASTORS

The Reverend Albert G. Butzer, III , Pastor

According to Al, “My three greatest joys in ministry are: 1) Helping people make sense of the intersection of the ancient world of the Bible and the modern world in which we live; 2) Helping people develop mature and authentic lives of faith that reach upward to God in praise, wonder and worship, and reach outward to others in compassion and grace; and 3) Standing with people in their moments of great joy and deep sadness.” Al grew up in a Presbyterian family in Buffalo, New York, where his grandfather was a minister, his father an elder in the church, and his mother the music teacher in the church’s weekday nursery school. A graduate of Tufts University near Boston, Al holds two degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to his call in 2007 to First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, he served churches in Short Hills, New Jersey, Oak Park, Illinois and Fairfax, Virginia. In addition to work in the local congregation, Al has been active in presbytery throughout his ministry and was elected the 1992 Moderator of Chicago Presbytery. He has served twice as a commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Betsy and Al have been married since 1980. Betsy, a self-employed interior decorator, grew up in Amherst, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. They are the proud parents of two young adult daughters. In their spare time the Butzers enjoy sailing their boat, Morning Star, on the beautiful waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Al is the author of a book of sermons entitled, Tears of Sadness; Tears of Gladness, and is currently working on a devotional book on the Gospel of John.

The Reverend Stephen M. Ratliff, Associate Pastor

Stephen, the Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, has been at First Presbyterian Church since 2002. He works primarily with the Christian Education, Congregational Care, and Outreach Committees of the church. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Columbia Seminary and has served churches in Mt. Gilead, NC, and Norfolk, VA. Stephen is the husband of Melissa and the father of Jacob and Benjamin. His interests include canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities with his family.

 

 

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