Opportunity Christian pastor excited about new position

The Rev. Lauri Clark Strait considered going to seminary for years before she finally took the plunge. The 45-year-old Yakima-native took over as the new pastor of Opportunity Christian Church at the beginning this month.

After college she was considering what to do with her life and thought of attending seminary. “Just out of the blue I had that thought,” she said. Only a few days later her father, director of the Yakima Christian Mission, asked her if she had ever thought of becoming a minister. So Strait enrolled in a seminary, only to change her mind at the last minute.

“I was so young,” she said. “It scared me to go away from home.”

So she got her teaching certificate and worked as a YMCA program director. After her children were born she taught preschool. But for 16 years the possibility lurked in her mind. “The desire to go to seminary never left.”

While living in Portland she met a student attending the George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Inspired anew to become a pastor, this time she didn’t keep it a secret. “I told the regional minister because I knew if I told someone they wouldn’t let me back out,” she said.

Strait was ordained in 2001 and worked as an associate pastor at First Christian Church in Ashland, Ky., for 2 1/2 years. She’s enthused about her first job as a senior pastor. “It’s just exciting,” she said. “This is a good place. The first thing I noticed is that the people are so genuine. They seem to be so accepting and supportive of one another.”

Strait said she needs to learn more about her new congregation and community before deciding what’s ahead. “It would be so easy for me to come in and say ‘These are my plans.’ I personally don’t know what the needs of the community are, at least not yet.”

Vacation Bible school

The Bible Baptist Church plans to host a vacation Bible school session Aug. 2-6 at the church, at 11111 E. 16th Ave. Classes for children age 5 through the sixth grade will be held each day from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The theme for the event is “Around the World.”

There is no charge. Call the church at 928-1298 to register or for more information.