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
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
Christmons
Christmas Tree Chrismons Our Christmas Trees have decorations called Chrismons (CHRIST = MONogram) that that proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ through the use of symbols. The Chrismons Tree originated at Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, VA in 1957. They hold the copyright on the word "chrismons".
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.