Alfred Walter Van Selow

On the afternoon of August 1, 2020, Pastor Al Van Selow was called home by the Lord whom he faithfully served for over 70 years. His wife and partner for 69 years and his entire family, including five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren will miss him deeply; as will many people whose lives were touched by his kindness and his ministry.

Born in Los Angeles in 1931, Alfred Van Selow grew up in a broken home and by his teenage years was firmly on the path of many unfortunate lower-income youths. His actions and associations came to a head with him standing before a judge who offered him the choice of incarceration or regular, supervised church attendance. This decision changed his life and would later change the lives of a great many people.

During his required church attendance, Al found Jesus and committed his life to serving Him.  He married a pretty and energetic younger cousin of the girl he was dating while in the Army during the Korean conflict.  That service provided the means for him to complete his college education with the assistance of the GI Bill.  Al and Lavon worked together in youth ministries beginning in La Habra, California.  Al completed his Seminary training and was ordained a Minister of the Gospel.  Their ministry continued in American Baptist churches in southern California including Gardenia, Sepulveda and North Hollywood.

In 1967, Al felt a calling to do more for American soldiers fighting in Vietnam and accepted a commission as a Chaplain in the United States Army.  This was a big decision for the 36-year-old, with two young sons, but he and Lavon believed the call to be an important one. His active service, which lasted until 1971, included a tour in Vietnam and two stateside postings.

Returning to ministry in California, and remaining an Army Reserve Chaplain, Al became the senior pastor of the largest Protestant church in Stockton.  There his ministry flourished and the reach of his message widened. His sons finished high school and his family deepened their roots there. In 1976, he accepted a call to Ventura, California and subsequently to Honolulu Hawaii and then Seattle Washington.  During this time, he also completed his doctoral studies and received his Doctor of Ministries degree from the American Baptist Seminaries of the West. His multi-cultural experience and gift for church administration allowed him to deal with some challenging situations while preaching the Gospel and serving the needs of his congregations.

In 2000, Dr. Van Selow retired from his role as a senior Pastor. He and Lavon returned to Stockton to be closer to family and friends.  Never idle, Pastor Van Selow worked long hours in retirement on the pastoral staff of Twin Oaks Baptist church.  Several years later, he moved to the staff of Lincoln Presbyterian church where he shared his experience and guidance with the pastoral staff and taught a tour-de-force Sunday school class focused on his love for Biblical and church history.

Through his life, Pastor Van Selow felt and taught that the call of Jesus was to changed life.  A life that was kind, inclusive, supportive and caring. He practiced what he preached.  He was generous to a fault. His humor was a signature of who he was, and he was loved and appreciated by both the powerful and the powerless.  We are better because we knew him and the love of the Father shown through him.