Pastor

Pastor Alan grew up in central Indiana in a family of seven. They were members of the mainline Presbyterian Church. His grandfather on his mother's side was a Presbyterian minister and had a significant influence in his life. He became a Christian his second year in college through the ministry of Inter-Varsity Christian fellowship at Butler University. After graduating with a teacher's degree in Spanish he spent four years in Santa Fe, New Mexico in youth and lay ministry. When God called Alan to the ministry he went to Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, MO (1983-86). Upon graduation he became intern, then assistant, and afterwards Pastor of Heritage PCA in Corpus Christi, TX. There he met his wife Cheryl. After six years in Texas he returned to Covenant Seminary for a year of study, then served as interim pastor in Cape Girardeau, MO for a year. Covenant PCA of Hammond, IN then called him and he served there from 1994-2002. He had a close relationship with the professors and students of Mid-America Reformed Seminary. God called him here to Cherokee in 2002 to follow Pastor Ted Lester who planted the church and pastored faithfully for 20 years. The Lutzes have four children and look forward to many fruitful years of ministry at Cherokee PCA!

Assistant Pastor

Born and raised near Clemson, SC, Jeff was brought up by his parents to love and respect the Word of God.  In late high school, Jeff was introduced to Reformed Theology by Gregg Farrier, a man to whom his father had sold some land.  This eventually led Jeff to leave the Baptist church and to embrace the Reformed teachings within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).  Shortly after attending Clemson Presbyterian Church, Jeff met the girl who would become his wife - Erin Leigh Stuart.  Little did Jeff know that her father, Dr. Robert Stuart, was also a PCA pastor.  Jeff and Erin eventually married and had three wonderful children (Taylor - 17, Anna - 15 and Ben - 14).  After just one year of teaching in a Christian school, Jeff had the opportunity to pursue an MDiv in Colorado Springs, CO, while continuing to teach.  He graduated in 2003, but would serve in various positions (Christian School co-Founder; Proclamation Ministries Staff; Financial Recruiter; Server at Texas Roadhouse) before being called to Cherokee Presbyterian Church as Assistant Pastor of Youth and Music.  Eventually, he would like to earn his PhD from Westminster Theological Seminary.