Zion Emmanuel Church in Odessa greets new pastor

The Rev. Mark Squire joins Zion-Emmanuel from Saint Louis, Mo. He was born and raised in the Detroit area of Michigan, where he first joined the Lutheran Church in 1997. After graduating high school, Rev. Squire attended Concordia University in River Forest, Ill., about 10 miles west of downtown Chicago.

In 2007, he received his bachelor of arts degree, majoring in theological languages (Biblical Greek, Hebrew and Latin) and minoring in mathematics, sociology and theology. Later in 2007, he began studying at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, where he graduated in 2011 with a master of divinity (MDiv) degree. Following the MDiv program, Rev. Squire began working on his master of sacred theology (STM), which he will receive once his thesis is written and accepted.

Rev. Squire married Emma Squire (nee Heetland) in 2007. Emma was born in Iowa, where she lived for much of her life, graduating from the University of Iowa with a bachelor of science degree in 2007. She majored in psychology. In 2008, she began work on the master of social work (MSW) degree, which she received in 2012 from the University of Missouri at Saint Louis. Emma also served in the Army Reserve from 2002-2010, attaining the rank of sergeant. She was on active duty for a year and a half, when she served as a clinic manager at Ireland Army Hospital at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Rev. and Mrs. Squire have two very active children: Sophia (4) and Claire (2), and they are expecting their third child, a boy, on October 10. The Squires say they feel excited and blessed to be able to serve at Zion-Emmanuel, as well as to have the opportunity to live among and serve the people of Odessa. They are looking forward to getting to know the people in the community.

Rev. Squire will be installed at a special service on Sunday, August 12. The service begins at 4 p.m. at Zion-Emmanuel, with dinner and fellowship to follow.