Pastor Phil Tukua of Christ The King Lutheran retires

Pastor Phil Tukua, who has served as senior pastor at Christ The King Lutheran Church (CTK) has retired after 30 years of ministry and 21 years at CTK.

After earning both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Divinity, Rev. Philip Tukua was ordained on June 21, 1981. The first church that he served was Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Whittier, followed by Grace Lutheran in Huntington Beach. Twenty-one years ago he came to Christ The King in Fallbrook. At that time there were roughly 50 parishioners. Now the church has a roster of about 1,500.

Tukua commented, “Christ The King has grown from a church on mission status to a congregation that supports eight missionary families around the world, and has helped to support new congregations here in the United States.”

He has also served on the board of directors of California Lutheran Bible School and the Fallbrook Ministerial Association.

Tukua said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Mary Jane, whom he has known since he was five years old. He is also excited about spending time with his daughter Julie and her husband, Greg, as well as with his son Ryan and family. Ryan has recently been selected as head football coach at Chaparral High School and Tukua, who has played and coached football, plans to give him some pointers.

Tukua was feted at a retirement luncheon catered by La Caseta Mexican restaurant, as well as at a formal celebration of his years of service. These back to back events were attended by several hundred people. During a time when family members and close friends shared their thoughts, it was mentioned over and over how Tukua “is a genuine person; a man with a soul of compassion who didn’t blink at answering the telephone at 2 a.m.” It was noted he was prompt to pay calls on first-time church visitors. He visited the hospitalized as well as shut-ins. It was also mentioned how Tukua has the heart of an evangelist – talking to neighbors, people in grocery stores and on the street, about the love of Christ.

During the luncheon one parishioner was overheard saying, “When my husband was in the hospital and not responding to anyone, Pastor Phil came into the room, began speaking to him and all of a sudden my husband began to respond.”

This is only one story from a career that spanned 30 years.

Tukua said in his parting letter to the congregation, “Mary Jane and I have been blessed to be a part of Christ The King, and we have loved living in the community of Fallbrook; Christ The King and Fallbrook are home to our children and home to us, and we are so very thankful that God led us to this church many years ago.”