Zion Reformed Church

Matthew Duerr - Senior Pastor

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Pastor Matt was born into a family of preachers.  Not only his father and older brother, but both of his uncles and several cousins have served the Lord as ministers.  Matt, likewise, felt called to serve the Lord. He attended Christ College Irvine to pursue a degree in Christian Education, graduating in 1982.   In 1983, Matt married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie, who is a respiratory therapist at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton.  They have two children: Paul and Bethany. 

Matt's first call was to serve as the 5^th and 6^th grade teacher and athletic director of St. Peter Lutheran School in Lodi, California. Matt served the congregation at St. Peter for 14 years.  During 12 of those years, he was also the president and/or treasurer of the athletic association.  He led several Bible studies and was active in the youth group and “feeding the homeless” ministry.  He was nominated several times to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.” 

In 1996, the congregation of Zion Reformed Church called Matt to serve as principal of Zion Middle School.  During his time as principal, he led several Bible studies and filled the church pulpit quite often for the pastor, who was suffering from cancer.  In December of 1998, the Lord called Pastor Berner to his heavenly home, and the congregation began to search for a pastor.  Matt was asked to fill that position but declined, saying, “I was called to be a teacher and your principal.”  After a year of searching, the Elders of Zion again approached Matt and asked him to become the pastor.  They pointed out that the church is just a bigger classroom.  Following unanimous votes by the consistory and the congregation, the call was officially extended and Matt was ordained as the pastor of Zion Reformed Church on April 9, 2000.

The church took a leap of faith in asking Matt to become the pastor, and the Duerrs took a leap of faith in accepting the call.  In the years following Matt's ordination, God’s blessing has been evident upon the ministry.  Emphasizing the Truth in God’ Word, the congregation has seen growth in the Lifelight Bible Study program as well as the youth Bible Study program.  Both the congregation and Pastor Matt continue to grow in God’s grace and love.  Together, they strive to serve the Lord and to bring glory to His name in all they do.

Tracy Goin - Administrative Assistant

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Church office hours:  Monday - Friday  8am - 5pm
Phone:  209-369-1919

Deanna McMullen - Director of Childcare/Preschool

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Hello,

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Deanna McMullen and I am the Director of Zion Childcare Center & Preschool. I have worked in the Early Childhood field for almost 20 years now. I have worked with all ages from infants to thirteen year olds. I have enjoyed watching all the children that I have been blessed to work with discover their unique talents and achieve their goals. I have my Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education and I hold a Child Development Program Director permit from the California Commission of Teachers.

God Bless

Deanna McMullen, Director

Zion Childcare Center & Preschool

Born and raised in Singapore, Tan graduated from high school at the Malaysian Seminary in 1953. He then graduated from the Royal School of Music in London, England with a teaching degree in performing arts and piano in 1958. Hi completed his Bachelor of Arts in music from Union College in Lincoln, Neb. in 1963.

Tan came to Lodi in 1982 to direct the choir at Lodi Academy School.  In 1983, he formed the Lodi Children's Chorus. Tan was inducted into the Lodi Community Hall of Fame in 2009.