The Rev. Jeff P. Crim of Ascension Lutheran Church will be officially ordained and installed as the permanent pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church during the Ascension Day Service on Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m. The Rev. H. Julian Gordy, the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will officiate.

Although he was raised in the Lutheran tradition, Mr. Crim later joined the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) where he became a Recorded Minister of the Gospel.

  Pastor Crim served as pastor of West River Friends Meeting in Indiana and Somerton and Corinth Friends Meetings in Virginia.  Following his ordination, he will become an official rostered leader with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA.

His experience also includes a focus on Healthcare and Clinical Counseling.  He was awarded certification as a clinical chaplain and pastoral counselor by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP) in 2012. He has worked professionally as a chaplain and bereavement counselor for Hartlite Hospice, and served as a Chaplain for both the Tennessee State Guard and the Virginia Defense Force.  He completed a clinical residency in pastoral care at Erlanger Medical Center and currently serves as a hospital chaplain for Memorial Hospital.

Growing up in a military family, Pastor Crim spent his early childhood in Guam, Hawaii and New York.  His family eventually settled in Ooltewah, Tennessee.  He earned a BA in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and a Master of Divinity from Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.  He resides in East Ridge with his wife Danielle.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension is the oldest ELCA church in the Chattanooga area and is currently celebrating it’s Centennial.  The Church was incorporated in 1913 and located in downtown Chattanooga at the corner of McCallie and Central Avenues.  In 1961 the first services were held at the current location in East Ridge at 720 S. Germantown Road.  Ascension Lutheran Church assisted in the start of two Lutheran Churches in the area – Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.  As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, members believe that all are saved by the Grace of God through Jesus Christ.  The Church is focused on teaching the Gospel of Jesus through worship, education and community outreach.  Worship services are at 11 a.m. every Sunday with adult Sunday School class at 10 a.m.