After a total of 39 years as a pastor, Gary Teske, currently the lead pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, is retiring.

Before moving to Lawrence in 2002, Teske was a pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Great Bend for 15 years. Prior to that, he was a pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianapolis. He started his career in 1974, serving at a church in Papua New Guinea.

Teske gave his last sermon Sunday, and his retirement will begin Thursday. He and his wife are in the process of moving to Topeka.

“We want to keep things open and really take a deep breath,” Teske said. “We’re going to enjoy the freedom and flexibility for a while.”

Teske was a board member of the Lawrence Community Shelter and the Visiting Nurses Association and a member of the local Optimist Club. He said he plans to become active in the Topeka community and remain involved in ministry, to a lesser degree.

In addition, Teske said he will spend more time on his bicycle and with his grandchildren.