Pastor George and Terry Salnave retire from the pulpit

​     Pastor George and Terry Salnave, middle, pose for a photo with their family during a retirement luncheon celebration on Sunday, Oct. 23. The couple is retiring from the pulpit after 48 years with 37 of those years being at the Montezuma First Presbyterian Evangelical Church. “I have enjoyed fulfilling God’s call for me (and Terry) to be here at the First Presbyterian Evangelical Church,” he said. “Montezuma was a great place to raise my children.”

By J.O. Parker
 
      An estimated 225 Montezuma residents, family and church members and domination representatives filled the pews at First Presbyterian Evangelical Church on Sunday, Oct. 23 in honor of Dr. George Salnave and his wife, Terry.
        The couple is retiring after 48 years in church ministry, 37 of those years in Montezuma.
      The service was filled with current and past church members sharing thoughts on the impact that the Salnave’s have had on their lives and their service to the community.
     Following the two plus hour service, those present filed into the Family Center for a luncheon of sandwiches and three varieties of soup, along with more than an hour of fellowship and family photos. The luncheon was planned and served by many of the women in the church.
        “They did a tremendous job of feeding and serving all the people who attended,” said Pastor Salnave. “I was surprised to have my sister, Susan, and her husband, Leigh, come from North Carolina to help me celebrate.”
        Those in attendance also included the Salnave’s three children and five grandchildren who shared in the celebration.
       “It was a tremendous honor for me to have three representatives from Rivers and Lakes Presbytery (the church domination) participating in the service,” said Pastor Salnave. “I particularly enjoyed having five past youth pastors present with some of them speaking. And the music was excellent.”
        The Salnave’s came to Montezuma in 1986, thanks to the efforts of the late Delores Lundy, who was on the pastor search committee at the time. She reached out to her brother’s wife, who managed a Christian Camp in California, where they saw many pastors, to see if they could suggest a candidate to minister and lead the church.
       "They suggested me and Delores called me on Sept. 17, 1985 to see if I might be interested in interviewing for this position,” noted Pastor Salnave. “The rest is history.”
        At the time, Pastor Salnave was serving as an associate pastor in Santa Rosa, Calif., a position he held for 11 years.
      During his tenure, Pastor Salnave was instrumental in building the Family Center, a church and community center with a kitchen, gym, fitness center and racquetball court. He also was the leading force in establishing the Montezuma Food Pantry and Clothing Closet.
       “The Clothing Closet has grown over time to be a valuable ministry to help people provide proper seasonal clothing,” he said. “The Food Pantry is an excellent ministry to feed people in Poweshiek County. Each month, 12,000 to 14,000 pounds of food is given out. Many people are unaware that there is a food storage and so our pantry has an even more important role to play in our county.”
         He added that the Family Center has been the church’s ministry to the Montezuma Community for more than 35 years.
     “We have appreciated the support of the community to help update it as it provides recreational opportunities,” said Pastor Salnave. “I believe the church has and will continue to invite people into a saving relationship with Christ through its community outreach.”
       Pastor Salnave has also served as the Salvation Army Unit 261 Bell Ringing Chairman and Director for a number of years. For every dollar donated to the Salvation Army, 90 cents stays in Poweshiek County.
       Pastor Salnave has also served as President of the Montezuma Ministerial Association and radio pastor of KUDV radio station. And for a number of years, he served with Linda Hamilton as emcee of the Montezuma      
     “Let Freedom Ring” Celebration on July 4. Pastor George and Terry were grand marshals of the 2022 parade.
     “I have or currently served in Rivers and Lakes Presbytery as Chaplain, the Ministerial Committee, the Mission Committee and Moderator,” he said.
       In addition, Terry, directed the church preschool for 18 years and also worked as a paraprofessional at the Montezuma Community Schools for 20-years. And she has also been a partner in her husband’s ministry.
        In past years, Pastor Salnave also served as a volunteer coach of the Montezuma High School golf teams.
When asked, Pastor Salnave said he has preached approximately 1,700 sermons. He didn’t know how many weddings (or funerals) he has been a part of during his time in Montezuma.
       When asked what are one or two of his most precious memories of his time in Montezuma, Pastor Salnave said, “Generally, ministering to a various number of people who have committed their lives to Jesus.”
      “I was happy to be instrumental in leading the church into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church,” he said.
       As for retirement, Pastor George said he and Terry are looking forward to having a lot of one-on-one time.
     “I look forward to spending time with my children and my grandchildren, traveling to visit friends of past ministries and playing golf,” Pastor Salnave said. “I also look forward to my chaplain role in the Rivers and Lakes Presbytery and being involved on some level in the churches that my children attend.”
      Pastor Salnave and Terry will minister at the church through Christmas Day.
    “I have enjoyed fulfilling God’s call for me (and Terry) to be here at the First Presbyterian Evangelical Church,” he said. “Montezuma was a great place to raise my children.”