About Pastor Gary LeCroy
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As a native of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the Rev. Gary LeCroy has served in New Jersey for much of his ministry, including over a decade at St. Paul Lutheran in Teaneck and 10 years at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newark. Previously, he had been a preacher and teacher in Virginia and Hawaii.
Pastor LeCroy graduated from the College of Charleston (B.A. Political Science); the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (M. Div.) and Luther Seminary (D. Min). “Every day I am thankful for the opportunities given to me for a good education. Study is an act of praise!” He is fond to say, “To engage in study is to be present with God. A congregation’s commitment to the education of young people is a divine ministry.” Pastor LeCroy has shepherded the establishment of a preschool in Newark and the expansion of a Montessori school in Teaneck.
Having spent his childhood in Charleston, Pastor LeCroy developed a deep appreciation for historical architecture and architecture in worship. His dissertation, Come, Let Us Build, studies the spiritual character of building in Nehemiah’s proclamation, or sermon, in the third chapter summoning returning exiles to action. “There is a lot of building in scripture. Most congregations and their facilities are the largest single time and financial investments. Proper care of the building is a matter of being good stewards of the resources God has given us.” LeCroy is quick to add, “While building projects typically do not attract new members, misuse of the building can drive potential members away.” In his ministry, the Teaneck congregation revamped their building and restructured the space to be more welcoming and accessible to all.
LeCroy is committed to full inclusion, as he is currently Chaplain to the Bosnia Servant Project. In addition, his volunteer work to welcome everybody to church extends hospitality to New Jersey residents within Garden State Equity, the Synod Anti-racism team, the Elizabeth Detention Center, and membership in the NJ Synod LGBTQ+ Task force, which promotes further inclusion in the church for Transgender youth and adults. In the congregation at Teaneck, they welcome Transgendered folk and host the North Jersey Transgender Day of Remembrance. His continued work reflects upon his belief that the church has an obligation to be the voice for those who feel silenced.
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As a Pastor in the New Jersey Synod, LeCroy feels blessed to continue to teach, preach and serve the church in many ways as he welcomes you to walk with him on his continued journey of witness and blessed service.