As church celebrates silver anniversary, so does pastor

As Good Shepherd Lutheran Church celebrates its 25th anniversary, Pastor Duane Hanson will be celebrating 25 years of service as well.

Throughout Hanson's 25 years, he and his wife, Elizabeth, have been to all parts of Alaska, pastoring in places such as Ketchikan, Nome, Shishmaref and Anchorage, before settling down at Good Shepherd, where he has pastored for the last 14 years.

"Our first calling was in Shishmaref, and that was a great experience," Hanson said. "When we were there, it was a small Eskimo village of about 300. There was no television, and for recreation, you visited.

"I learned firsthand the value of diversity and the struggle of cultures," Hanson said. "What a gift it was to be there for two years."

Following their stint in Shishmaref, the Hansons pastored in Anchorage at Central Lutheran Church for three years. There was a strong Native population at the church, and again, the blending of cultures proved to be an eye-opening experience for Hanson.

From Anchorage, the Hansons traveled to Nome, where they spent about six years.

"We have four children, and the two oldest spent their childhoods in Nome, and that was a rewarding experience," Hanson said. "It was very unique, a great opportunity."

From Nome the Hansons moved to the Valley and have led Good Shepherd ever since.

"We really like it here in the Valley," Hanson said.

The future is always open, and Hanson said predicting what will happen, both professionally and personally, is just about impossible.

"I think you have to have hopes and you have to have goals, but other than that, nobody knows what the future holds," Hanson said.