About our Pastor

I’m Pastor Darryl W. Kozak. I grew up in Southern California in a family of several Lutheran pastors. From kindergarten through college, I attended Lutheran schools, including graduating from Lutheran High School of Orange County and Concordia University in Irvine.   

 

While my family roots were in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod tradition, as an adult and with concerns about biblical and theological interpretation and social justice issues, I joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1999.   I then began the process of becoming an ELCA pastor.

 

I attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and served my internship/vicarage at Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church, New York, NY, and simultaneously worked for the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations. These experiences gave me an urban and global perspective of the ministry.

 

My first “call” was in the New York, where I served a Brooklyn, NY congregation.  I returned to my Southern California roots in 2010 and, prior to becoming pastor for Peace Lutheran, Corona, served a few congregations as an intentional interim pastor.

 

In addition to Peace Lutheran, I also now serve as pastor for Bethany Lutheran Church in Norco and am on the Pacifica Synod staff as a Regional Assistant to the Bishop.

 

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in theology from Concordia University, Irvine, CA, and my Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA.  I am pursuing my Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago, IL. In addition to being an Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament, I am a certified professional life coach with credentials from the International Coach Federation and the ELCA.

 

I am an accomplished vocalist, who sings with A Cabbello, an elite group of professional and semi-professional singers, based in Palm Springs.  In addition to my musical interests, I enjoy traveling, reading, writing, and anything involving the outdoors and nature.   My husband Johnny and I are Corona residents along with our family of many pets: a dog, three cats, a California desert tortoise, and fish.

 

You can contact me directly at peacepastordarryl@gmail.com

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