Alan Lauer

congregational care pastor

Alan was born in Encinitas, California on April 26, 1939. The early years were challenging with a father who was an alcoholic, an uncle who committed suicide and his brother killed in a car accident on Christmas by a drunk driver. To add to the drama, his aunt became the head of the communist party in San Diego County during the McCarthy era causing the family to be investigated by the F.B.I.

1961 he married Danette Giles. Almost immediately they saw they had made a terrible mistake and thought of having the marriage annulled. Before they could start the paper work, the found out that Danette was pregnant.

With problems at work, a failing marriage, and an increasingly dangerous lifestyle, Alan’s world was quickly coming unglued. Pressure from his in-laws to go to church came to a head on November 17, 1961 when he finally gave in and went with the family to First Baptist Church of Encinitas.

Knowing beyond a shadow of doubt that he was a sinner and in no way could change on his own, Alan gave his miserable life to the Lord for a new one. With Christ in the marriage, it got better. Within weeks he was serving at First Baptist. From that point on bible studies and correspondence courses were an ongoing process.

Alan and Danette now call CCO home and Alan serves as Associate Pastor on staff. They have three children–Rob, Jamie, and Kelly. They have 13 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchilden.

Education:
- 1957, High School Degree, San Dieguito High School
- Biola College, La Mirada
- Extension courses with other Christian schools

Experience:
- 1958, Tank Commander, Army
- Served in the National Guard
- Encinitas Post Office
- Ran the family flower business

Ministry Experience:
- 1961–1967, Youth Director
- 1961–1967, North San Diego County Youth for Christ Club Director
- 1967, Ordained by the Evangelical Church Alliance, and is still an active member
- Served as an interim pastor, a house church pastor, and an assistant pastor
- Conducted over 1900 weddings and 100+ funerals
- 1968 God gave Alan the vision to start the San Dieguito Hotline. The idea was to put a second phone in the home where initially troubled teens could call any time day or night. Having permission from the local school administration and counseling staff, he was allowed to share the concept with the students in various classes and assemblies. With signs all over the community telling of the service, the phone rang day and night. Over the years, adults, married couples and families used the service. Numerous people in distress lived with the Lauer’s over the years.
- 1972, 18 kids and young adults were living at the Lauer house. Over the years the Lauer house became a haven for hundreds of people in need.
- 1992–2011, Called to lead Crossroads Calvary Chapel
- 1992–2011, Volunteer chaplain at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas
- 1992–2011, Chaplain with Prison Fellowship Ministries
- 1992–2011, Chaplain with the San Diego Red Cross
- 1992–2011, Led mission trips twice to Uganda and Sudan where they established a hospital and hygiene facilities in refugee camps, and taught at pastors conferences. Other trips included Scotland, France, Brazil, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Russia, and two trips to Israel.
- 1999, Joined the board of Bread of Life.
- 2003, Led the board to establish the Rescue Mission now located at 1919 Apple Street where he continues to serve on the board and leads as the senior pastor.

Awards:
1977, Blade Tribune Citizen of the Year

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24