The Rev. Reggie Larson, former pastor of the First Assembly of God Church, now Life Church, is retiring and returning to Emporia.
Larson was pastor of the church from August 1969 until August 1985. During his time in Emporia, the church relocated from 15th Avenue and Trailridge Road to the current location at 18th Avenue and Graphic Arts Road, adding the name Life Centre Assembly of God, now Life Church.
While in Emporia, Larson was chaplain for the police and sheriff’s departments and established a Christian Counseling Center and an Extension Bible School. He was a member of the Lyon County Ministerial Alliance, serving as vice president and president. Since leaving Emporia, he has served churches in Kansas City, Mo., Grandview, Mo. and Sandwich, Ill.
His wife, Jo Larson, worked at the District Court for several years and has remained active in the legal field since leaving Emporia.
Larson said in a news release, “I was told by a friend ‘As a pastor, you will only have one Emporia in your life.’ We have found that to be true. Emporia was a special place and a special time.
“Emporia was a great place to raise our family and we are excited about returning ‘home’ to friends and family.”
The Larsons are parents of two sons, Judge Jeffry Larson of Emporia and the Rev. Matt Larson of Southwest Ranches, Fla., and a daughter, Dawn Larson, of Kansas City, Mo.
Larson is a licensed professional counselor and a marriage and family counselor. He will serve on staff at Life Church as an associate pastor. His ministry will include teaching and counseling, and will extend his counseling services to the public.
The Rev. Tony Lantz, pastor of Life Church, said in the news release, “We are excited about having someone with Pastor Larson’s experience and ministry gifts at Life Church, and to extend this ministry to the community.”
Larson can be reached by calling the church at 342-8620.