Our Staff - St. Peter's Lutheran Church

Senior Pastor | Rev. Matthew Jennings

Rev. Matthew Jennings was installed as Pastor at St. Peter’s on Sunday January 9, 2022.

Rev. Matthew Jennings was born September 24, 1971, the youngest son of Jon and Merry Jennings in South Gate, CA. He entered Concordia University in Irvine, CA in 1989 with the plan to become a Lutheran School Teacher. After graduating with a Liberal Arts degree (Education) in 1994 he received his first Call to be a 7th/8th grade teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School in Montebello, CA. After teaching there for 3 years he and his wife Jennifer, also a teacher, and 2 kids took calls to Seattle, WA and taught junior high school there for 7 years.

It was then in 2004 that Matt, Jennifer and their 3 kids moved to St. Louis, MO to attend Concordia Seminary. In 2007, after 3 years of classes Matt, Jennifer and now 5 kids, got a vicarage assignment in Yucca Valley, CA. Matt was ordained at his home church in Downey, CA and installed in 2008 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Yucca Valley, CA and served there for 14 years. Matt and Jennifer met at church in the 6th grade. They were married in Feb. 1992 and have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. Ryan/Rebecca Taylor- children June, Jack and Rio. Sarah and fiancée Tristen, Joseph, Anna and Samuel.

Assistant Pastor | Rev. Donald Copley

Rev. Donald D. Copley was ordained and installed as Assistant Pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on May 6th, 2018.

Rev. Copley was born in Alliance, Nebraska. He graduated from high school in 1956 at Eagle Point, Oregon. He then served 22 years in the Air Force, retiring as Master Sergeant. He worked another 22 years as Purchasing Agents for Monarch Cement Company. During his time at Monarch he received his BA and MA degrees from Friend’s University in Wichita, KS. In 2007 he was installed as a Licensed Lay Deacon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Rev. Copley and his wife Dodie have been married 45 years. Together they have 3 living children: Braxton and Lawson Copley and Wendy den Herder. They have 4 grandchildren, Daniel Houston and Ben, Austin, and Ellis Rose Copley, and 1 great grandson Jeffery Houston.

Church Secretary | Carman Huse

Carman Huse was born and raised in Iola KS. She graduated from Iola High School and Allen County Community College. She has worked in various office positions. Carman has been a member of St. Peter’s for many years, and has served on various committees. In 2016, St. Peter’s was looking for a new secretary. Carman was selected for the position, and is very grateful to be serving the Lord and the members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Carman married Chet Huse on June 14, 2004. Together they have 5 grown children, Audrey Galloway, Kayla Ramsey, Jenell Baker, Jacki Huse, and Ryan Huse. They have 5 beautiful grand daughters. Aisley, Hadley, Lucy Galloway, Axten, & Sasha Hubbard, also two sweet little boys, Larson Ramsey & Moxen Hubbard.