Who We Are

Pastor

Reverend Lou McAlister East

 Rev. Lou McAlister East was approved by Salem Presbytery to serve as Organizing Pastor of Epiphany Presbyterian Church in October 2003.  In addition to her work alongside Epiphany's "Midwives" toward the birth of this new church, Lou works for the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, serving as their Southeastern Regional Coordinator.  
 
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Lou holds a B.A. in Religion from Duke University and a M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She has served the church all her adult life alongside her husband, Chris, who is also a Presbyterian minister.   Having received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School in 1994, Lou was ordained in August of 1995 and served two churches in Alamance County, North Carolina before responding to a call to New Church Development.
 
Chris and Lou's daughter Kelly is 25 and is currently "bi-coastal," dividing her time between Nevada City, California and Charlottesville, Virginia.  Their son Daniel is 21 and is a Senior at the College of Charleston. 
 
Lou aspires to be astute theologically, creative liturgically, and effective pastorally.  By placing great value in developing warm personal relationships and in reaching out to share Christ's Good News with all people, Lou works to help others discern and use their diverse experiences, gifts, and abilities to God's glory.  As a lifelong student of social transformation informed by a theology that liberates us and inspires us to do justice and love mercy, Lou values an inclusive love of our neighbors, in all their rich diversity, and the promise of Christ's unity amidst that diversity.
 
Reflecting upon a prophetic change in her ministry, Lou responds, "I feel that my whole life has propelled me towards this time and this work.  Ask me about any circumstance or event in my life and I can relate that experience to the deep sense of Call which has compelled my 'Yes' to Epiphany."