Reverend Greg Asimakoupoulos, who served as lead pastor at Mercer Island Covenant Church for six years and was a president of the Mercer Island Clergy Association, has been appointed as the new chaplain at Covenant Shores Retirement Community.

Pastor Greg began his new role last month. His duties include leading worship services, providing pastoral care and counseling to the 360 residents and regularly visiting those in the health care unit, memory care wing and those living in assisted living.

Pastor Greg stepped down from Mercer Island Covenant Church in May 2011 when a year-long congregational study recommended the search for a more administratively focused pastor to address faltering membership and church income.

In the interim, he has been busy.

“During the past two years, I have cobbled together ministry opportunities through freelance writing, speaking and counseling,” he said. “This time has allowed me to experience firsthand the challenges of unemployment and career evaluation faced by many a congregant. I’ve also realized the importance of trusting God for outcomes that aren’t immediately obvious.”

He is pleased to remain on the Island and to find work as a chaplain.

“In recent years, I’ve come to see that my strengths and interests would be well served in a chaplaincy role,” he said.

Asimakoupoulos, who received a B.A. from Seattle Pacific University and a master of divinity from North Park seminary, has been the faith-and-values columnist for the Reporter since 2005.

Pastor Greg replaces Marlowe Shoop, who retired from serving as chaplain at Covenant Shores.