Spiritual Leader

Sat., June 3, 2000

Rev. Ron Baer, pastor of Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, 411 S. Washington, Spokane.

Background: Baer has served at Westminster for seven years. He was ordained in 1983 after graduating from Chicago Theological Seminary.

He spent three years in Chicago and seven years in Connecticut before moving to the Northwest.

Baer owns a fire truck that is used by the Spokane Fire Department Explorer Post program, which gives teenagers a chance to learn about firefighting. The engine, which he won in a raffle, is the same vehicle Baer drove as a 20-year-old volunteer firefighter in Rheems, Pa.

He is also a member of the Rotary Club and plays drums during performances presented by Theater Extraordinaire, a troupe of actors and actresses with mental illnesses.

Personal: Baer and his wife, Deborah, have been married 16 years and have four children: Sam, 12; Laura, 9; Mary Elizabeth, 4; and Grace, 3.

Deborah is an ordained minister specializing in interim positions. She is currently serving as Westminster’s director of religious education

Quote: “Love bears all things.”

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