Pastor Dan van Alstine

Pastor Dan was born and raised in Edmonton. His family home was located on 85th Street and 81st Avenue. He attended King Edward Park (later Donnan) Elementary and Jr. High School and Bonnie Doon Composite High School. Many of his high school friends were members of St. Luke's.

After high school, Dan went to the University of Alberta, graduating with a B.A. He majored in Sociology with minors in Anthropology and Religious Studies. He then attended Trinity College in Toronto (a member of the Toronto School of Theology, affiliated with the University of Toronto.) Dan received his M.Div., specializing in Pastoral Theology.

He has also done post-graduate work in Family Studies at the University of Alberta and in Theology at Newman Theological College. His studies have included special work in the fields of Suicide Prevention, Alcohal and Drug Abuse Counselling and Education and Stress Managment. Before his ordination, Dan worked both as a Social Worker and a Counsellor. He also ran his own business.

Dan has spent his entire ministry in the Diocese of Edmonton serving as a curate at Christ Church, and as the Rector of: the joint parishes of St. Mary's, Edgerton; St. Paul's, Provost; and St. Peter's, Paradise Valley. He was Rector of St. Andrew's, Camrose prior to his arrival at St. Luke's.

Dan is married to Carolyn, a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board and has three grown sons: Jeffrey, Christopher and Brendan. He is an avid reader (mysteries, history and biography) and loves to ride his mountain bike through Edmonton's beautiful river valley.