Rev. Earl F. Palmer, Preaching Pastor-in-Residence.
The National Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the selection of the Rev. Earl F. Palmer as our Preaching Pastor-in-Residence. Rev. Palmer, who recently retired as Senior Pastor of University Presbyterian Church (UPC) in Seattle, Wash., is one of our denomination's best-known pastors. His love of the church of Jesus Christ and his ability to communicate the Gospel are well known in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Rev. Palmer holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Whitworth College and Seattle Pacific University, and his ministry includes calls to Union Church of Manila, Republic of the Philippines, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Calif., and UPC in Seattle since 1991. He is the author of 18 books, including, Trusting God, The Humor of Jesus, and The 24-Hour Christian; he is a trustee of Princeton Theological Seminary and New College, Berkeley, Calif.
Described as "a scholar, master pulpiteer, elder statesman of the church, and a generous-hearted shepherd," Rev. Palmer has inspired generations of Presbyterians with his biblically-based preaching. University Presbyterian Church, under Rev. Palmer's leadership, has grown steadily to more than 4,500 members, with average weekly worship attendance exceeding 3,500. On Sundays at UPC, he has preached five sermons that reached out to all generations.
Rev. Palmer looks forward to his time at National. His connections to our congregation are significant and include former NPC members, now at University Presbyterian Church, as well as good friends currently at NPC. In 1990 and in 1996 he was keynote speaker at our All-Church Retreat at Sandy Cove Retreat Center.
Members of his congregation have established a non-profit organization,
When not in Washington, D.C., Rev. Palmer, who prefers to be called Earl, will perform other previously scheduled work under the auspices of Earl Palmer Ministries, including preaching and teaching at other churches and seminaries in the U.S. and abroad.
Shirley, Earl's wife of 50 years, received a Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies from the College of Education, University of Washington, in 2002. The Palmers have three children and seven grandchildren, all of whom live in the state of Washington. The Palmers love the outdoors (boating, swimming, hiking, and snow skiing) and enjoy their vacation home on Whidbey Island on Puget Sound. When not spending time with grandchildren, Shirley is pursuing her research on connections between adolescent youth and the schools they attend. She also enjoys Chinese brush painting. Earl enjoys sports, including baseball and football. The Palmers plan to maintain their home in Seattle, and Shirley will join Earl in Washington, D.C. on multiple occasions.
May the Lord continue to bless The National Presbyterian Church.