Pastor Rich Pounds

Pastor Illausky is a life-long Lutheran who was raised in New England. Having obtained academic degrees in computer science, management and marketing from Central Connecticut University and Bentley University, he enjoyed a successful twenty-three year career as a consultant in those areas.

During his business career, Pastor Gordon continued to develop and be recognized for his musical talents as a vocalist and pianist which were first recognized by his parents and others at the age of seven. Those abilities enabled him to perform as a professional in multiple theater, operatic and musical venues. As a lay person he also served as Minister of Music at St. John Lutheran Church in Sudbury, Massachusetts from 1975-1993.

In response what he describes as a "life-long desire to become a pastor", Pastor Illausky graduated with honors and received a Master’s of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, Newton, Massachusetts in 1994. He then continued to pursue post-graduate studies at Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia, Pa. Prior to his ordination Pastor Illausky served as a Chaplain at Boston City Hospital, Boston, Ma. for three years.

Since being ordained in 1996, Pastor Illausky served three congregations in New England before accepting a call from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church to serve as its Senior Pastor in 2006. In addition to those responsibilities, Pastor Illausky completed a six-year elected term Dean of the ELCA Texas North Central East Conference; a three-year elected term as a member of the ELCA, NTNL Mission Council; and appointed terms on several NTNL committees.

Pastor Gordon is passionate about preaching, sharing God’s Word, the Sacraments of the Church, reaching out to the community in which it exists and making Christ known to the world. He very much enjoys and has a reputation for inviting and involving children to participate in his weekly Children’s Message during the worship service.

Pastor Illausky and his wife Susan are the proud parents of their adult daughter, her husband and - most especially - their grandchildren, Jacob (7) and Emma (5).

Among the multiple scripture readings Pastor Illausky lists as his favorites, the concluding words of Romans 8:31-39 remain central to his personal faith and pastoral ministry:

"Who or what will separate us from the love of Christ? Hardship, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? I am convinced that neither death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, powers, heights, depths or anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."