Jeff Lettow was my pastor. For 35 years I sat under his teaching. I watched him lead by example, encouraging us to read God's Word daily, to learn how to live our daily lives, and to participate in the life of our local church. When there were activities happening at the church, Jeff was almost always there: AWANA, F.A.I.T.H., parties for holidays, and so much more. He helped me grow (he called it "stretching me"). We were all family to him, and he loved being with us. He and Crystal spent time getting to know folks, inviting them for meals and opening their home for get togethers of Sunday School classes.

Jeff Lettow was a counselor. Because he cared so much for those God put at FBCLG, he cared what was going on in our lives. When my husband of 20 years left me to fend for myself and our two children, Jeff counseled and sat with me, helping me through my bewilderment and grief. He called often, trying to make sense of the senseless. I remember he asked if he could ask me some questions about the process of divorce, since he "didn't know anyone else to ask" and trusted me to be fair about what I said, and then he would have good information to give others when times like that arose. And then, after 4 years, when I met the man who is now my husband, Jeff again counseled me.  He made sure that I was ready to make a new commitment, but also reminded me that, if my ex came back and apologized and wanted to reconcile, it was God's desire for me to mske that effort, since God hates divorce, Even in the joy of my new relationship, Jeff didn't dodge telling me what the Bible said and what my responsibility was until I married my new husband. 

Jeff Lettow was my friend. He and Crystal traveled with Phil and me many times over the past 20+ years. One my favorite trips was our first time to Hawaii, where we often piled into Tom Smith's van to go places as a group. Jeff liked to take the road less traveled and would say, "Just turn here, Tommy-san!" Tom would, and we would be on some back road, often leading to a dead end (or a corral with a loose foal and an anxious but hungry mare.) When we went to New Hampshire, Jeff was enthralled with the fall foliage and would park on the side of the road, run up on someone's lawn and try to get the best angle on their maple tree's leaves. (This sometimes involved rolling on the grass!) His enthusiasm was so contagious! 

Jeff Lettow was transparent. He shared his life with those around him. We knew his joy in his wife and his children, his dogs and (best of all,perhaps) his grandchildren. I pray that Jett, London, Pax, and Emmett will know how much he loved them! We shared his grief in losses in our community and when his mom went to heaven.  When he was diagnosed with cancer, he showed us the way to look to God for what to do and asked us to pray. He thanked God for the cancer because it gave him opportunity to talk to drs and nurses and technicians about Jesus. Think of that: thanking God for the very thing taking him from those he loved so well.

That's how Jeff Lettow lived his life: sharing Jesus. This is perhaps the most important thing one could say about him. I am so thankful to have shared a small part of his life and to have Jeff and his family in mine. Crystal, Jarrett and Erica, Hope, Ashlyn and Matt, Larry: may God grant peace and comfort and bring many more memories of your precious husband, father, and son to your mind. 

Love you all!

Meeting Lissa Gray

Pastor Jeff was a truly wonderful man of God. From the time I met him when I was in elementary  through my high school years, he helped me grow in my relationship with God. I even remember babysitting Jarrett, Ashlyn, and Hope while I was in college. For a while I stepped away from the church, trying to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. When I would come back to FBCLG with my family to visit, I would hear Pastor Jeff's message and feel convicted. 

I eventually came back to the flock when I met my husband who asked if I knew a church we could attend. Of course we started going regularly back to FBCLG. I remember my husband really opening up to Jeff. Well, when Richard asked me to marry him, Pastor Jeff and Crystal walked us through some premarital counseling. Jeff and Crystal were so open and honest with us and really helped us to see "What we were getting ourselves in to". I don't say that negatively at all. They really asked us to consider the expectations we both had of marriage and family and finances , etc. Pastor Jeff officiated our wedding on Jan. 15th, 2000, and Crystal sang a beautiful song in our wedding. Pastor Jeff has been a spiritual counselor and guide to my husband and I ever since. Many times Jeff spent hours talking with Richard. Jeff has helped us through so many hard times including saying goodbye to my dad, Carson Sandvall. I remember it was my dad's last day of life, and Jeff came over to read scriptures to my dad. He asked my dad what he would like to hear. At this point my dad was pretty drugged up to control his pain. My dad replied, "May 12, 1947." This was my mom's birthday! Without skipping a beat Pastor Jeff says, "Well, Carson, I agree, let's ask your lovely wife  what she wants to hear!" He was so kind and loving to my family through all of this. 

Jeff was also there for me when I needed a kind word or a word of encouragement. When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2019, Jeff was there for me and my family. The battle was difficult , but people like Jeff and the ret of the FBCLG family really were there for us. When Jeff was diagnosed with cancer, my heart sank. I did question God and wondered why such a man olike Jeff would have to go through this horrible disease. I tried my best to encourage Jeff, sending him verses that had helped me through my journey. I thought for sure Jeff would win the battle. When I heard that the cancer had spread, I felt so sad. When I heard the news that he had passed and had gone to see Jesus, I cried. I cried for all of us who loved him and had so many fond memories of him, I cried for Crystal, his beautiful wife, I cried for his kids whose kids would grow up not knowing their grandpa. I cried and then I wrote. Writing helps me get out my thoughts and feelings and process what is happening.  The day after Jeff passed, I felt miserable and I sat down and wrote this poem. After writing it, I felt God encouraging me and reminding me that He is the one who holds all of our tomorrows and will hold us forever. 

Crying Clouds

The rain falls today.

Even the clouds are weeping,

Weeping the loss of you.

The loss of the bright smile that used to comfort me,

The loss of the eyes that always saw the good in others,

The loss of the hug of a friend who truly cared.

The clouds weep as I weep, recalling

Your comforting laughter,

Your sage advice,

Your generous, giving spirit.

We both fought with the cancerous demon,

But I won…I stabbed it and stomped on it

With chemo and radiation…

You lost…your body torn and broken.

I want to scream upward,

“Why this precious heart-

This precious soul who made everyone feel loved,

Who made everyone feel heard?

Why did the cruel fingers dig in and destroy?

Why did His powerful hand not guard and protect?”

But as I weep for you,

I remember what you preached

And what you lived.

You begged us-

“Don’t focus on the dot, the here and now,

Focus on the line, the eternal, the everlasting.

Look heavenward.”

So with tears in my eyes, I will eagerly wait,

To hear your calm voice, to see your healed body.

Knowing that someday we will sing forever,

to the one who holds us in His hands

Forevermore.

Written by Johanna Dorsha

(11-8-22)

With Jeff's memorial service fresh on my mind I must come to share.  I drove into the parking lot of the church where Jeff pastored and served for nearly forty years knowing that it was my dad (Dr. Robert E Kleinschmidt aka Bro. Bob,) who hired him, my dad who pastored and spearheaded building the church that I would be walking into.  I had a lifetime of memories just sitting alone with me in the car. I had no idea I'd be sobbing uncontrollably.   I remember Jeff - just a young man - three years younger than myself - standing in the office with his darling and charming wife, Crystal.  My parents glowed when they talked about them both. What a beautiful, triumphant journey this young couple had before them.  A million thanks to you Crystal, to your precious  family, to the church fellowship, and of utmost importance, to our dear Lord Jesus Christ for always leading us forward until that great day when we all will be gathered home.   Physical lives come and go and we are blessed and privileged to know them and live them.  But what an honor to say, "Lord - take my life - make it Yours and do with it as You please." I think it's clear that Jeff did this.   We may not know it at the time of that great exchange, but the truth is, it has the biggest pay off this world will never know.   

Thank you, Jeff for living that great exchange.  Your beautiful, twinkling smile will forever be emblazoned on my heart and I look forward to the day when we all get to heaven.  As the old hymn screams, What a day of rejoicing THAT will be!  When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!  "Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed." John 20:29  

Lord, we believe!  

My condolences to Jeffrey's family. I first met Jeffrey when  I pledged Alpha Gamma Omega Fraternity in the Fall 1978 quarter at UCLA as a freshman.  Jeffrey was my class's Pledgemaster, and I know that there were many times that we tried his patience and goodwill. In spite of this, he was always someone that we knew had our best interests at heart, even when he had to be firm and strict with his charges. Jeffrey always did his best to set a good example as a man of God first, encouraging use to seek after and follow Jesus Christ in our daily lives. This is a reminder he regularly gave to all the brothers, something that I will always treasure when remembering him, and want to share this with his family. May the Lord's peace and blessings shower down on you, his family.