Rev. Debi Turley

Sr. Pastor/ President

Pastor Debi (“Pastormom”) was called to Lord of Life in 2007.  She serves as Senior Pastor and President of Lord of Life Adult & Child Services.  A 2002 graduate of Trinity Lutheran  Seminary, she brings extensive experience in Special Education and business management and planning to her ministry.  She is passionate about preaching and creative worship leadership, spiritual formation and sharing the Christ-centered Life.  As one of our visionary leaders, Pastor Debi lives among us as mentor, resource and encourager as well as teacher, proclaimer of the Gospel and companion on life’s journey.  She relishes life’s adventures with her husband, Bob, and their four grown children including their dogs Miles and Betty.  In her spare time, she can be found devouring dark chocolate while reading murder mysteries and dreaming of trading places with Olivia on Law and Order SVU. 

Rev. Jamie Retallack

Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries
Jamie came to Lord of Life early in the summer of 2011 after earning his Masters of Divinity at the Lutheran Theological seminary at Gettysburg.  He was drawn to Lord of Life by their energy and excitement for doing God’s work.  He loves helping Children and youth explore their faith and experience God in new and unique ways.  He hopes everyone will experience abundant life.
Jamie is a graduate of Williamsville South High School and Daemen College.  He married his wife Olivia in 2004 in the outdoor chapel at LCLC (Where they met).  He loves cheering for the Bills on Sunday afternoon, and coping with the final score let down that comes with being a Bills fan.  He also enjoys being outdoors camping or relaxing in a hammock (yep there is a hammock chair in his office). 

Bill Patterson

Director of Lay Ministry

Bill is excited and blessed to be the Director of Lay Ministry at Lord of Life. Bill, who has masters degrees in religious studies and social work, served for 38 years as a therapist, clinical director, and consultant for mental health agencies, prior to coming to Lord of Life. His faith is a central part of Bill’s life, a faith he hopes to bring to all aspects of lay ministry. Bill’s calling is to be a resource and coach to assist folks at Lord of Life in strengthening and deepening their ministries. He believes the future of the Church will be in lay people living the Christian Faith Monday through Saturday, as well as on Sunday. Please come into Bill’s office and visualize what a 1970s “time warp” is like. All he needs are bean bag chairs and “love beads” hanging from the doorway to make it perfect! He might even play a chorus of “Highland Cathedral” on the bagpipes if you would like! Bill and his wife Kathy have three children, Kris, Tom, and Beth, and two grandchildren, Alyssa and Haley. Living in Lockport, he doesn’t mind the trip to Lord of Life, except when snow lands on his car seat.

Jackie Wolfram

Jackie and her family first came to Lord of Life through the doors of the Child Development Center (CDC) when both of her sons each entered the program at the ripe old age of six weeks.  The tender loving care they received here drew her entire family into worship on Sunday mornings.  

Jackie was a legal secretary for many years before she started working in the Administration Office in 2002.   She has also worked at the reception desk of the Adult Day Health Center (ADHC) over the years and still does from time to time, when needed.   Jackie feels our Centers are such a blessing to so many people and they remain close to her heart.

Jackie and her husband Michael and their children Jeff, Mark and Carolyn enjoy traveling and generally spending time together. 

Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dean Hunneshagen

A visionary, creative leader, his caring, supportive and friendly manner made both members and first-time visitors to Lord of Life Church feel welcomed and valued.

Pastor Hunneshagen was sent to the southeast area of the Town of Cheektowaga in 1971 to begin a new ministry on behalf of The American Lutheran Church. He remained as its pastor until September 2008, seeing the congregation and its ministries flourish in many and divergent ways.

He currently serves at the Transition Pastor at St. Timothy's on Grand Island.