The Rev. Albert Starr
Director for Ethnic Specific, Multicultural Ministries and Racial Justice Team of the ELCA
Rev. Starr began work as Director for The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Ethnic Specific, Multicultural Ministries Team in August of 2014.
He came to the team as Program Director for African Descent Ministries in March of 2009. Prior to accepting the call to the Chicago office, Rev. Starr served as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, California from Sept. of 1982 until March of 2009.
Together with his wife, Judith, Pastor Starr studied at the Makumira Theological College near Arusha Tanzania, East Africa as a part of completing the Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. In September of 2009, Rev. Starr was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, also from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus Ohio.
In his continuing work with the ELCA churchwide organization, Pastor Starr has had the great privilege of seeing firsthand the intersectionality of race, culture, economics, faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He served as co-convener for the ELCA’s Task Force for Authentic Diversity, calling the church to a deeper and more equitable engagement of ethnic and racial inclusivity.
His call to ministry has always included a strong notion of serving God by serving God’s people. As a pastor /teacher he takes great delight and special joy in helping to lift up and engage the gifts and talents of people of African descent and others, celebrating their capacity for building a stronger church and a better world to the glory of God through Jesus Christ.
Pastor Starr and his wife Judith have two adult children, their daughter Jordann and their son, Temesghen. He is the first of seven children born to Albert and Eunice Starr of Durham, N. C.