Luke Edward Kauffman

Dr. Luke E. Kauffman, 81, Forest, VA, met his Savior in Heaven March 3, 2023. He was born December 19, 1941 to Jeremiah and Mary Kauffman near Hummelstown, PA. He married Sandra J. Garber August 1, 1964, who survives. He is survived by a son, Kent (Karen) Kauffman, Warsaw, IN and daughter, Kristie Flynn, Scottsdale, AZ, and four grandchildren, Nicholas and Kylie Kauffman, Reagan Kauffman and Emma Flynn. He was preceded in death in 2014 by his first-born son, Kurt Kauffman, and his parents.

Luke graduated from Hershey High School (1959), Hershey Junior College (AA, 1961), Grace College (BA 1963) and Grace Theological Seminary (M Div, 1966), Winona Lake, IN and Luther Rice Seminary (D Min, 1989), Jacksonville, FL.

Luke began his Pastorate at the home mission Grace Brethren Church in Beaverton, OR from 1966-1969. He was the Senior Pastor at Myerstown Grace Brethren Church, PA, from 1969-1993, where he led the church in many building programs. In 1974 he founded Grace Christian School, and in 1986 he founded Grace Community, a life-care residential retirement community, both on the campus of Myerstown GBC. Two of the many boards he presided over included The Grace Brethren Home Missions Board for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation.

From 1977-1993 Luke was a weekly speaker on the International Radio program, “The Grace Hour,” and he preached on the weekly television program, “The Message of Grace.” From 1993-1995 he served as the Senior Pastor of Anchorage Grace Brethren Church. While he was there, he taught a winter Theology course at St. James Bible College and Seminary, Magadon, Russia.

He was privileged to be a full professor of Homeletics & Pastoral Ministries at Liberty Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA, for 10 years. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching these young men the art of preaching. Luke’s reward came in March when Jesus said to him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”