top of page
Community

Mission

Oakland Presbyterian Church is a community of Christians…
Seeking God’s presence in
worship and prayer,
Growing spiritually through fellowship and the study of God’s word,
and
Sharing the joy of God’s call to witness and service through missions to neighbors near and far.

As Oakland, we use Everyday Moments to connect Every Part of Every Life to Jesus

Team Oakland

DebbieOsterhoudt

Interim Pastor Debbie

Twenty-one years ago, I began my first call as a Transitional Pastor at Oakland Presbyterian Church.  As a Transitional Pastor, I am called to support, encourage, and resource congregations as they navigate change.  I love to sail, having been taught by my father as a child, so I believe that much of navigating change is learning to discern the direction from which the wind (or as Christians, the Holy Spirit) is blowing.  And adjusting our sails to catch the wind!  And now, several decades later, I have returned to Oakland to help to navigate this new transition in pastoral leadership.

I was raised a Presbyterian in Atlanta, Georgia.  My parents were both ordained as elders and serving the church was a way of life and a priority in my family.  I attended Vanderbilt University (Class of 1978) and received my Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta (Class of 1986).  I was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1986 at the Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC.  Since 1986, I have served churches primarily in the Triangle area as pastor, associate pastor, and transitional pastor.  My love for ministry began, and still is, with youth ministry and Christian Education, coupled with outreach/mission ministries.  I believe that our Christian faith grows and deepens when we wed biblical study with “putting feet” to our faith.

I live in Wilson, NC, around the corner from my son, his wife, and 3 children, ages 8,10, and 13 years.  My husband died 6 years ago, so my housemates are a 2 year old Shih-poo and a 12 year old golden retriever.  I have a daughter, son-in-law, and 3 year old grandson who live in Knightdale.  I enjoy hiking, gardening, theater, traveling, and sailing!! 

bottom of page