Community Worship: Rev. Luke Witte

Lakeside welcomes Rev. Luke Witte, Former Carolina Division Director of Marketplace Chaplains in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Guest Preacher on Sunday, Sept. 3. This week’s preacher is supported by James & Jean Disher. 

Witte will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service in Hoover Auditorium. His sermon, titled “Are You in or Out,” is based on Mark 5:1-20.

Michael Shirtz and guest artists will provide musical leadership during the service, while the liturgy will be led by Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care. Worship music for the 2023 summer season is supported by James E. Beardsley and Doris F. Beardsley.

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 5-11) will proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. There will be a message by Richter, songs, crafts, lemonade and cookies to share. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult.  

The first thing one notices about Witte is that he must have played basketball. Standing 6’11”, he played at Ohio State University, where he received Big Ten and All-American honors.  

Graduating from Ohio State in 1973, Witte continued playing basketball for the Cleveland Cavaliers and several seasons overseas in Switzerland and Italy. He was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.   

After a few years in the business world, Witte received a Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. His main passion is pastoral care but enjoys woodworking and traveling with his wife of 45 years, Donita. 

Witte retired in 2019 as the Division Director for Marketplace Chaplains for North and South Carolina overseeing 75 chaplains that serve more than 10,000 employees and families. His main responsibilities included recruiting and training chaplains while developing and encouraging chaplain teams in both ministry functions and spiritual enrichment. 

With many years as an associate pastor at a large church in Charlotte and as the family team ministry leader, Witte and Donita have a strong passion for marriage ministry. They continue to mentor couples’ pre-marriage or during challenges.  

Witte speaks frequently at churches, men’s groups, sports camps, ministry events, community gatherings and marriage seminars with Donita. The couple has three children. 

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.