Originally from Chicago, Cassie Rivkin has spent the past two decades serving alongside her husband Rev. Dr. Dominic Rivkin in a wide range of ministry contexts—from church planting in Southern California to leadership development across the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS. Her experience in building teams, supporting leaders, and nurturing mission-focused communities brings both depth and energy to this role. A lifelong member of the LCMS, her understanding of missi

In 1962, Concordia University Portland started to host a Lutheran Elementary School Tournament (LEST). At the beginning, it was basically a boys basketball tournament for just a few schools. Over the years it grew into a much bigger event with over 20 schools from around the Northwest and Northern California participating in a wider variety of events. When Concordia Portland closed in 2020, the schools in the northwest continued the tournament in Tacoma at various venues.

Behind every pastor is a woman carrying joys, pressures, expectations, and often unseen weight. In this episode of The Mission Table, we talk about the heart behind the Pastors’ Wives Retreat—why it matters, what it offers, and why investing in the spiritual and emotional health of pastors’ wives strengthens the whole Church. You’ll hear why this retreat isn’t just another event on the calendar. It’s space to breathe. Space to be known—not as “the pastor’s wife,” but as a be

Pastor James Pevy was installed as the pastor at Benecia Lutheran (Benecia, CA) and Trinity Lutheran (Fairfield, CA) on Sunday February 15, 2026

Littlest Angels Preschool is a ministry of Bethany Lutheran Church in Menlo Park, California. Bethany has been a congregation in the Menlo Park community since 1950, and the preschool began in 1996. The school currently serves 33 students, ages 2-5. Katie O’Malley has been teaching at Littlest Angels since 2009 and has been the director since 2018. The preschool has a total of 8 staff members that serve and minister to students and families in the surrounding community.

Pastors’ wives had a wonderful weekend together at the annual retreat. It was a lovely time of rest, renewal, and friendship. Save the date for next year: February 5-7, 2027.