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On September 1, 2022, Salem First Presbyterian Church will welcome its new called Senior Pastor, Greg Bolt. 

 

As the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) prayerfully worked through its process, the final question they considered was: “Who has the best skills and values and spiritual gifts to lead our church forward at this time?” A descriptor they report using over and over is “extrovert.”  They recognized that SFPC needs a “people-person” who shows up early and works the room, stays late, and works the room, and hones in on anyone they do not know. Someone who can help us navigate our evolving worship styles and space. Most importantly, SFPC needs someone who can help us re-discover our culture of invitation where everyone is welcome to help us worship God. The PNC’s consensus choice was Pastor Greg Bolt. On Sunday, June 19, Greg preached his candidacy sermon to the congregation. The vote approving his call was unanimous.

 

Greg and his wife, the Rev. Heidi Bolt, have co-pastored at First Presbyterian Church of Red Wing, Minnesota since 2017.  During this time, Greg and Heidi’s efforts included work with the homeless, establishing a shelter, working with other churches and considerable community involvement.

 

Greg earned a BA in Political Science from Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina.  He then earned an MS in Physical Education from West Virginia University, training to be a teacher and a coach. However, life and the Spirit then led him to earn a Master’s in Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and then a Doctorate in Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.  

 

Prior to the call at FPC Red Wing, Greg served in various ordained capacities at First Presbyterian Church, Nebraska City, Nebraska; and First Presbyterian Church, Bend, Oregon.  

 

Greg and Heidi met during seminary. Heidi is a native Oregonian and was raised in Philomath. They have two children, Sophia, and Thaddeus, who are going into the seventh and fifth grades this fall. The family enjoys sports, hiking, camping, and multi-generational family time.  

 

Pastor Greg sends the following message to his new church family and friends at SFPC:

 

“My name is Rev. Dr. Gregory Gilman Bolt, BA, MS, MDiv, DMin. I have been called a lot of things over my years: pastor, friend, brother, son, coach, and dad, but most of the time people just call me Greg.

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I am so excited to join the Spirit-filled and Christ-centered work at Salem First Presbyterian Church and I hope that you will feel welcome and included as we seek to listen, learn, and grow together. I look forward to meeting y’all!”