Idaho
New priest leads congregation at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS – Father Akinpelu James Lawal is settling into his role as the new priest at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Idaho Falls.
The 35-year-old Nigerian man began his service on June 1. He replaces Mother Lea Colvill, who left after three years to take on a new call in Colorado.
After living in Idaho Falls for the last three weeks, Lawal tells EastIdahoNews.com “it’s been a beautiful experience” to see how the community has welcomed him.
“I have a family who has allowed me to stay with them until my apartment is ready. That is beautiful,” Lawal says.
Lawal felt some reluctance moving into a community where the majority of people are white. He wasn’t sure how he would be received, but he’s grateful for the warm reception.
“We stick together, we eat at the same table, we live under the same roof and we do things in common, so it’s been beautiful,” says Lawal.
This is his first time serving in this capacity and he’s glad to serve.
Although he has never set foot in Idaho and has no ties here, Lawal says he felt God’s call to come and serve in this area.
“God instructed me to come,” Lawal explains.
Lawal’s background
Lawal has been working as an ordained minister for the last five or six years, but started preaching long before that. Church service has been an integral part of his life.
Lawal stood before congregations as early as age 12.
“We had fellowship in a church that was supportive, that gave us a platform to minister. I started out as a drummer minister (playing drums in a Christian band during worship services). We also mounted a pulpit to teach the word of God,” Lawal recalls.
He was involved in Bible study groups, teaching other people. At one point, he became the youth president of the group.
These experiences shaped his decision to lead a life of ministry.
He had a conversion experience around age 28 that he says was similar to the Apostle Paul’s experience in the New Testament.
“I had a personal encounter with Christ,” he says.
Lawal says his mind was unsettled about whether or not he was a Christian. Despite years of church service, messaging from other ministers caused him to doubt.
“In Nigeria, preachers I listened to growing up (would say), ‘If you never come out and stand before the pulpit, you are not saved.’ That’s the message they were preaching and it affected me,” says Lawal.
Eventually, he came to realize what was true and the message was “very simple.”
“It’s about confessing that you belong to him. If you confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you believe in your heart, that’s salvation,” Lawal explains.
Hearing that wasn’t enough for Lawal, and he sought further guidance from God.
“If I am truly yours and I truly belong to this kingdom, I want to see you, God,” Lawal recalls saying in prayer. “He showed up that very night.”
Lawal says he saw Jesus on the cross four times in a dream. He heard God say to him that Jesus had gone to prepare a place for him. That settled his concerns and set him on a path of ministry.
“My call is even deeper than my conversion,” says Lawal. “It was after the order of Peter.”
Just like Peter was told “Put on your shoes … and follow me,” Lawal says he received a similar message.
Several years later, he remembers getting a prompting to look up in the sky. He looked up and saw a plane flying overhead.
“God said, ‘That will be your experience very soon,’” Lawal says. “I had never been on a plane before … but it came to pass.”
While attending seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, he came across a verse in Isaiah that spoke to him and provided reassurance.
“Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards,” Verse five of Isaiah 61 says. “And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.”
He graduated from Luther Seminary and did ministerial work for a couple years before moving to Idaho Falls.
Lawal’s mission and message
Despite the challenges of being a minority in a new place with a different culture, he sees it as a great opportunity.
His mission, as he sees it, is to “pronounce and proclaim the name of Christ and the kingdom of God here in Idaho Falls.”
His message to people of all faiths is to “work together as a team” to see “how the light of the gospel can shine forth.”
“Let’s see how the love of God can be felt and seen everywhere. Let’s see how the banner and name of Christ alone will be lifted high,” he says.
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The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.
There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.
Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.
READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.
Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.
36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025
We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.
Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
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