Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

My name is Pastor Travis R. Powers, and I have the joy and privilege of serving as Pastor here at Christ Lutheran Church in beautiful Odessa, Washington. My wife Kimberlee and I have been married for 26 wonderful years, and together we are blessed with a full and joyful family—our sons Mikhail, Isaac, and Micah, along with our nieces Rosa, Kelena, and Sofia, and our nephew Leo. Life is NEVER boring in the Powers household!

Kim and I both grew up in the northwest region of Iowa. Kim hails from Holstein, a small agricultural German town of about 1,500 people, and I was raised in Spencer, Iowa, known for being home to the world’s largest county fair—the Clay County Fair. Spencer is a close-knit agricultural community with a population of around 11,500.

My journey in ministry has been one of both growth and grace. I began my studies at Concordia University in Seward, NE, and later enrolled at the Institute of Lutheran Theology (ILT) in 2015. During that time, I served in youth and family ministry as a youth director at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD for a year and then at Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls, MT for six years. From there, I received my first Call to serve as Pastor for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chester, MT and St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Ledger, MT, where I served for just over a year.

In early 2023, I was contacted by the Call Committee at Christ Lutheran here in Odessa, who invited me to consider taking their Call packet. After much prayer and joyful discernment, I accepted the Call and began serving as Pastor on June 19th, 2023. On June 14^th, 2024, after finishing my final classes at ILT, I was Ordained.

Since arriving, Kim, our family, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Odessa community. We are grateful for the warmth and hospitality we’ve received and look forward to growing deep and lasting relationships with the wonderful people of both Christ Lutheran Church and the town of Odessa.

Some of my personal hobbies include movies, video gaming, playing guitar, singing, and going for walks with Kim and our dog, Cordita. I’m also a passionate fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and both classic and modern muscle cars. I love collecting memorabilia from my childhood and enjoy time with my family, who are my greatest earthly blessing.

We’re also experiencing an exciting new season—our oldest son, Mikhail, is getting married to Yarely Lopez right here in Odessa on September 27th, 2025! We couldn’t be more thrilled.

Above all, I am passionate about sharing the love of Jesus Christ, proclaiming His Word, and walking alongside others in their journey of faith. If you’re looking for a church home or simply someone to talk to, our doors and hearts are open. Whether you’re a lifelong believer, a newcomer to the faith, or somewhere in between—we invite you to come as you are and discover the love and grace of Christ in community.

In His service and grace,
Pastor Travis R. Powers
Christ Lutheran Church – Odessa, WA