History of Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd Lutheran began as a mission of Our Savior Lutheran in Crestview. The first Lutheran service in the Fort Walton Beach area—attended by 17 and led by Reverend William P. Kniffel—was held on May 29, 1955. Five months later, in October, the first Lutheran Sunday School began with 19 attending. On March 2, 1956, Good Shepherd became the first officially organized Lutheran church in the area, and on May 4, 1956, the congregation was welcomed into the membership of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Buildings
The original Sanctuary and Education Wing were dedicated on July 13, 1958. In May 1972, a new Education Building was added, later renovated into the Family Education Center, dedicated July 12, 1998. The current Sanctuary was dedicated July 6, 1986. Storm damage led to Administrative Building renovations completed May 2, 2001.
Carpet Color
Children's Message on why the carpet color is green.
Children's Message Audio
Family Life Minister Curtis used the church’s green carpet to teach the children about Jesus, our Good Shepherd. He explained how different carpet colors in churches can symbolize God’s promises—red for Christ’s blood, blue for baptism, and green for pastures. The green carpet reminds us that we are sheep in God’s pasture, fed and cared for through His Word, sacraments, and love. Just as a shepherd leads sheep to green pastures, Jesus leads us, nourishes us, and makes us His own flock.
A member's Feedback: So, you think the church carpet is green? It is more aqua. Actually, it is sea foam.
We never discussed what it represented when we picked it out (1985). Sandy Reddenbacher, an interior designer, picked a dark red and the sea foam. They were in the old narthex for people to look at and vote. People picked the sea foam which sort of represents the gulf and our area.
Called Church Workers
John E. Ellermann, Pastor -27 Jan 1957 to 16 Nov 1965;
Richard O. Ziehr, Pastor - 20 Mar 1966 to 31 Aug 1995;
Ray Angerman*, Director of Christian Education (DCE) - 8 May 1977 to 28 Apr 2002
Karl W. Haeussler, Pastor - 17 Oct 1993 to 19 Jul 1998;
Brian E. Runge, Pastor - 12 Nov 1995 to 30 Oct 2001;
Ray Angerman*, Pastor - 28 Apr 2002 to 1 Oct 2023
Daniel P. Parsch, Pastor - 3 Nov 2002 to 30 Aug 2007
Curtis Wiese, Family Life Minister (DCE) - 4 Jan 2009 to Present
Eric Klemme, Pastor - 1 Dec 2024 to Present
* Pastor Ray Angerman served Good Shepherd as DCE and later as Pastor. Beginning part-time in 1974, he was commissioned in 1977, ordained in 2002, and retired in 2023. His pastoral training was through DELTO, serving at Hope Lutheran Mission while continuing his ministry at Good Shepherd.
Mission Starts
We were instrumental in the mission starts of Grace Lutheran Church in Destin
(received into LCMS membership LCMS 31 Dec 1982) and Hope Lutheran Church in
South Walton County (received into LCMS membership 18 Mar 2001)
Plant Age
| Building Roofs | |
|---|---|
| Item | Year |
| Education | 2004 |
| Fellowship (Flat) | 2016 |
| Fellowship (Gable) | 2021 |
| Sanctuary | 2023 |
| Education Building (1998) | |
|---|---|
| Item | Year |
| Cafe` | 2015 |
| Carpet | 2013 |
| Flagpoll | 2013 |
| HVAC | 2010 |
| HVAC (Classrms 6-8) | 2025 |
| Office Move | 2020 |
| Playground Mulch | 2025 |
| Youth Room Home | 2012 |
| Fellowship Hall (1958) | |
|---|---|
| Item | Year |
| Carpet | 2024 |
| HVAC | 2015 |
| Large Screen TV | 2017|2022 |
| Library | 2015 |
| Mold Remediation | 2020 |
| Parking Lot Resurfacing | 2025 |
| Sound Upgrade | 2011 |
| Sanctuary Building (1986) | |
|---|---|
| Item | Year |
| Carpet | 2011 |
| Cry Room and Narthex Speakers | 2018 |
| HVAC | 2012 |
| HVAC (Bride's Room) | 2024 |
| Live Stream | 2020 |
| Narthex Expansion | 2007 |
| Nursery Refurbishment | 2018 |
| Nursery/Chapel/Bell Shuffle | 2012 |
| Organ Replacement | 2019 |
| Pew Refurbishment | 2010 |
| Projectors/Screens | 2016 |
| Sound Upgrade | 2010 |
12/8/2025 9:55:42 AM
Scholarship Guidelines for Applicants
Evaluation and Distribution of the Herbert & Hildegard Brown Scholarship Endowment Fund
1. Eligibility is limited to communicant members of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod who are preparing for professional church work as pastors, teachers, Directors of Christian Education, deaconesses, or other certified church-work vocations.
2. In addition to character, talents, leadership, and scholastic standing, the primary selection criterion is the applicant’s demonstrated caring and loving attitude.
3. Academic performance is considered only to the extent that the applicant maintains at least a “C” average (2.0 GPA) at the college or seminary level.
4. Eligibility for an award is determined by the standards above; the amount of each award is based on the applicant’s financial need.
5. Priority for awards is given in the following order:
a. Members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Shalimar, Florida
b. Members of other LCMS congregations in Northwest Florida
c. Members of LCMS congregations elsewhere
6. Because the fund exists solely to prepare professional church workers, recipients must agree in writing that if they change to a program or vocation not included in these guidelines, they will repay the full amount received so the funds may benefit future church-work students.
7. Awards are made according to the availability of funds and the priority order listed above.
8. Awards are normally paid directly to the educational institution. The scholarship committee will maintain contact with the school as needed and will require academic/progress reports from the recipient at least quarterly.
9. Completed applications, on the official form, must be submitted to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Board of Education no later than April 1.
(Revised and formatted for clarity (2025)
Brown Scholarship
Origin of the Herbert and Hildegard Memorial Scholarship Fund
In February 1987, Pastor Richard Ziehr of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Shalimar, Florida) was called to Eglin hospital to visit Hildegard Brown, a former infrequent attendee who was in ICU after a heart attack. Pastor Ziehr prayed with her and her husband Herb. Hildegard died the next afternoon (February 5, 1987).
Even before the funeral, the grieving Herb Brown expressed his desire to create a permanent memorial scholarship fund in memory of his late wife Hildegard, specifically to help seminary students who showed “a caring and loving attitude” prepare for church work. Despite the pastor’s caution about acting too soon in grief, Herb was resolute and had already discussed it with his daughters Desiree and Michelle, who agreed.
On April 13, 1987, Herb met with the pastor and the Southern District Foundation executive to formally establish the fund. He immediately deposited $7,000, committed to ongoing contributions, and purchased a $100,000 life-insurance policy naming the fund as beneficiary.
The fund grew steadily. In fall 1989, the first awards were made: two students at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, each received $400.
Herb became an active member and was elected elder of the church in June 1989. Tragically, on December 19, 1989, at age 57, Herb was killed in a single-car accident (likely caused by a diabetic episode) while driving to visit his fiancée.
Thus, through Herb’s foresight and the life-insurance proceeds, the Herbert and Hildegard Memorial Scholarship Fund—started from profound personal loss and a desire to honor a “caring and loving attitude”—became a lasting endowment that continues to support future church workers, growing like the mustard seed Jesus described.
(Written by Pastor Richard O. Ziehr in 1991)
65th Anniversary
REMEMBER, REJOICE, REDEDICATE
Thank you Pastor Ziehr and his family in our celebration of Good Shepherd's 65th Anniversary of ministry. Thank you to those who worked the reception in the Fellowship Hall. The pictorial presentation of our history that was shown during the Educational Hour is available online through our website.
Northwest Florida Daily News: Pastor Ray
Pastor Ray Angerman explains how to watch the Sunday service.
ProMilitary Network
ProMilitary Network Online Advertisement Campaign 2011.
Apostle Creed
Filming this video was the conclusion to our unit concerning the Apostle's Creed. The creed and explanation are taken from Luther's Small Catechism. The people in the video are from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Shalimar FL.
TV Ad
The TV Commercial Good Shepherd ran in Jan/Feb 2007 as part of an advertising campaign.
Carry Out His Mission Dec 1995, Bea Daily
Financial campaign for the Family Life Building.