December 2016
Rev. James D. Buckman has joined the family of Faith Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Illinois, as new pastor, along with his wife Cathy of 23 years and his five children: Jacob, Jim, Sarah, John and Grace.
Pastor Buckman was raised in Nigeria, West Africa; his parents were missionaries. His family and two other missionary families lived in a tribal group of 50,000.
At 18, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army. His special assignment was as Army Special Forces morse code operator.
After 10 years of active duty, he enrolled in undergraduate work at Valparaiso University in Indiana and eventually pursued graduate studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.
Pastor Buckman helped to plant two mission starts, Alive in Christ Lutheran Church in Columbia, Missouri, and River of Life Lutheran Church in Springfield, Missouri.
When his pastoral schedule permitted, Pastor Buckman’s desire to become a military reserve chaplain was realized. He made the move to become an Army Reserve chaplain with the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion in St. Louis. He later transferred as a chaplain to the Air Force Reserve 442nd Fighter Wing. He is presently a chaplain in the Air National Guard Reserve.
Pastor Buckman’s most recent assignment was as urban ministry strategist with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod New Jersey District.
He joined the Faith family in December and his installation is planned for Sunday, January 15, at Faith Lutheran Church, 680 West Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, Illinois.