On June 1, 2026, Pastor Curt Lowry will transition from Pastor of Care and Small Groups full-time to Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries part-time. I’m thrilled for Pastor Curt that after 43 years of full-time ministry at IBC, he will have some more well-deserved time available for resting and visiting family. And I’m thrilled for IBC that Pastor Curt is not fully retiring but will continue to serve God and His people in ministry! I remember John Piper saying something to the effect of: “As long as you have breath, you have ministry”. Pastor Curt is a stellar example of someone who continues to serve faithfully as long as God gives him breath and energy!
Pastor Curt is one of those guys I want to be like when I grow up. He has a gift for making everyone feel like they are the most important person in the room. Pastor Curt epitomizes Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” It strikes me that Pastor Curt loves people so well because He loves Jesus so much.
The pastoral staff often affectionately refers to Pastor Curt’s home as the “South Campus”. Why? Because Pastor Curt’s home is essentially a satellite campus of IBC when you consider how much ministry has happened inside those walls. Divorce Care, Seeking Sexual Integrity, and Life Groups have all met at Pastor Curt’s house over the years, not counting the hundreds of people Pastor Curt and Robyn personally ministered to.
Arguably, no one knows Pastor Curt better than Pastor Mark. I encourage you to read Pastor Mark’s personal reflections below:
As Pastor Curt completes 43 years of full-time ministry at IBC and becomes part-time this June, I want to thank God for his ministry and friendship, to me and to countless others. On behalf of the entire IBC Family, “Thank you, Pastor Curt!”
Actually, Curt and Robyn Lowry were one of the reasons for Gerri and me to choose to come to IBC. We met them in 1984 when I visited as a guest speaker. Being asked to candidate in 1987, Gerri and I said to each other, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could work with the Lowry’s?” Serving with a gifted pastor like Curt who was committed to an Associate Pastor role with a talented partner like Robyn who loved to encourage everyone she could, was a big draw. What a joy it’s been!
Curt and Robyn first came to IBC for a season when he was a pastoral intern with Pastor Charles Hanshew in late 1970’s. When God called Pastor Hanshew home in 1982, Curt was on the faculty at Washington Bible College and helped arrange pulpit supply speakers for IBC. He spoke a number of times himself and was asked if he would be willing to candidate for lead pastor. Even though he is a gifted Bible teacher, he prayerfully said that he didn’t feel called to the Senior Pastor role but woud be willing to serve as an interim and stay on as Associate. That was 43 years ago and he is still serving. What faithfulness!
As Associate Pastor, Curt oversaw IBC’s Christian Education and many other areas. He served effectively on multiple Building Committees and every Sunday taught a large and effective Adult Class. Later, his title became Pastor of Care and Small Groups, a role in which he has especially thrived. Curt’s gifts of mercy and shepherding have touched hundreds who, when they meet him, surely think, “That’s the nicest pastor I ever met.” What a people person!
Many have commented that Pastor Lowry is like “the oil in the machinery of IBC” promoting smooth operations and loving relationships. Recently, I asked Curt if he would be willing to cover a particular area and he quickly commented, “Pastor Mark, if you think that’s what is needed, I’ll do it.” That’s Curt, the ultimate team player. What loyalty!
Curt and Robyn were a consumate ministry team together. Their gifts of hospitality were legendary as they served God’s people. Robyn had many gifts including evangelism and a heart for the hurting and for internationals. Since the Lord took her to heaven in November, 2022, she is greatly missed by Curt and also by the IBC family.
And yet, Pastor Curt has continued to serve this Body of believers sacrificially. Some of you have seen the picture he took at sunrise the morning after Robyn’s home going. The sunlight forming a cross and Curt’s testimony that God said, “Trust me,” remind us of our hope that to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).
Pastor Curt’s love for God, God’s Word, God’s people, and God’s world models Christ-like discipleship. Our Lord Jesus taught that whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:43-45). Curt and Robyn Lowry have lived such servanthood among us.
We are thrilled that Pastor Lowry will continue at IBC part-time, as Pastor of Senior Adults, serving, shepherding, teaching, and caring. We thank God for the gift that he is to our Body of believers. Thank you, Pastor Curt!