Pr. Jim Kabel, son of Alton & Olivia Kabel, was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on 20 March 1941. Married 9 June 1979, Pastor Jim and Janice have three children: Bradley, a resident of Rancho Cordova, CA; Jennifer, a resident of Citrus Heights, CA; and Brent, a resident of Seattle, WA. They are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren: Cooper, Bradley & Kelly’s son, and Hana, Brent & Fumiko’s daughter.
After graduating from St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Sheboygan, Pastor Jim began his preparation for the Holy Ministry at Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 14. After one year there, his parents moved to Southern California where he continued his studies at Walter A. Maier Memorial Lutheran High School, Los Angeles. He is a graduate of Concordia College, Oakland, CA, and Concordia Senior College, Fort Waye, IN, where he received his BA. He received his MDiv from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in 1967. Following his graduation from the seminary, Pastor Jim continued his studies at the seminary fulfilling resident requirements toward a Master of Sacred Theology in the area of Child & Youth Worship.
Ordained 18 May 1968, Pastor Jim served Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Sacramento, CA from 1968-1997. In 1995, Shepherd of the Valley relocated to begin new Mission & Ministry in Roseville, CA, as St. Matthew Lutheran Church. In September of 1997, he was installed as pastor of The Lutheran Church of Arcata, Arcata, CA. During his ministry there, Pastor Jim mentored three vicars who were involved in campus ministry at Humboldt State University, located across the street from the parish campus.
Following his retirement in January 2006, Pastor Jim & Jan moved to their new home in Eagle Point, OR, to be closer to Jan’s family.
Pastor Jim is currently serving as our Intentional Interim Pastor.
Both Pastor Jim & Jan enjoy spending time with their family, grandchildren and friends, gardening together, and traveling.