Scott Bauer, 49; Pastor Led Church on the Way in Van Nuys

Scott G. Bauer, senior pastor of the 12,000-member Church on the Way in Van Nuys, a Foursquare Gospel congregation that is one of the largest non-Catholic churches in the San Fernando Valley, has died. He was 49.

Bauer died Friday in Northridge Hospital from the hemorrhage of an aneurysm that caused him to collapse last Wednesday as he completed his church’s midweek prayer meeting.

In addition to his church leadership, he was known for his weekday KTLW radio program “Life on the Way,” and had recently completed his first book, “The New Church on the Way.” He also served as chairman of the board of trustees of the 500-student King’s College and Seminary, located on the church campus.

Associate pastor since 1982, Bauer moved into the congregation’s top post four years ago, succeeding his father-in-law, the church’s founding pastor, Jack Hayford. Still active in the church and its educational program, Hayford will temporarily replace Bauer in the pulpit.

Bauer established a reputation among Southern California clergy for trying to bring together Christian and Jewish leaders, for reaching out to Latinos and for helping to develop Los Angeles Community Builders Inc., which combats neighborhood deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

Bauer had recently returned from Israel and Cyprus, where he trained Christian pastors from Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. He had also conducted conferences across the U.S., in India and in Europe and South America.

The pastor earned a bachelor’s degree at UCLA, a master’s from Fuller Theological Seminary and a doctorate in ministry from Oral Roberts University.

He is survived by his wife, pastor and author Rebecca Bauer; his parents, Bill and Dolores Bauer; two sons, Brian and Kyle; a daughter, Lindsey; a sister, Susan; and two brothers, William and John.

Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in the Church on the Way’s East Campus Sanctuary, 14300 Sherman Way, Van Nuys.

Donations may be sent to a scholarship fund established in Bauer’s memory at: Dr. Scott G. Bauer Memorial Fund, 14300 Sherman Way, Van Nuys 91405.