Pastor to Retire After 23 Years at the Helm

The Rev. Richard Laue will retire Sunday after 23 years as senior pastor of an independent church now attended by 1,200 people, including longtime member Rep. James Rogan (R-Glendale).

When Laue came to the Calvary Bible Church in 1975, the average attendance was 300 adults.

As the congregation grew, it built a new worship center and auditorium.

Rogan, a rising figure in Republican politics who is on the House Judiciary Committee, was baptized and married at the church.

Although Laue is a conservative evangelical Christian, he said he has not made religious-political alliances.

“I don’t like to be in anyone’s camp,” he said.

“We feel our thrust is to the whole culture, not to the fringe.”

Laue, 65, will give his final sermon at the church, 1101 S. Main St., on Sunday, but in January will begin a new ministry.

Glendale-based radio station KKLA (1240 AM and 99.5 FM), the largest Christian talk-radio station in the country, will employ Laue as a pastor to pastors in the region, according to the station’s general manager, David Armstrong.