Dr. Allen Kolkman is a native Californian, born in Oxnard and growing up in Ventura.  Pastor Al began attending church as a teenager, participating in several churches and ultimately joined the Lutheran Church when he was eighteen.

Dr. Kolkman attended California Lutheran University, majoring in history and religion, and received his B.A. (cum laude) in 1973. He then received his Masters of Divinity from Concordia Lutheran Seminary in 1977 and his Doctor of Ministry from Faith Lutheran Seminary in 1990.  His training included ministry as a hospital chaplain in Santa Monica and an internship (vicarage) in San Jose, California, as well.

It was in San Jose that Pastor Al met and married his wife Debbie in 1976. Together, they have two daughters, Kristine and Amanda, both grown now but still living in Oceanside and active at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.

Pastor Kolkman has served The Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church since 1980, first as a missionary and became our pastor in 1990.