BIOGRAPHY

   Early in Pete’s Ministry he became associated with the Latin American Mission and In-Depth Evangelism Associates, a movement to mobilize local churches in banding together to impact their nations through Christ’s gospel. He served as a consultant with In-Depth Evangelism Associates for nine years. Following that ministry, he served as the executive pastor of the Wheaton Bible Church, and then as copastor of the Salem Alliance Church, Salem, Oregon.

   Pete accepted the invitation to come to Fairhaven Church as Senior Pastor in August 1983. Under his leadership, Fairhaven Church has grown to be a diverse congregation of about 4,000 people with a staff of 50. The relational health of the staff has given credibility to the ministry and has provided real incentive for continuity. The vast majority of staff have worked together as a team for 10 or more years. Pete’s ministry is characterized by a narrative, biblical exposition, a commitment to and experience in international missions and world evangelization, and a practical approach to marriage and family relationships. Under his influence, Nyack Miami Valley Campus was launched in 2001, with great success that offered degrees on both the undergraduate and graduate level through 2009. In the fall of 2005, Leadership Magazine published an article entitled, "Heir Apparent", which exemplifies the transition led by the then departing senior pastor Schwalm in chaning senior pastors. To read the article, click here.

    Dr. Schwalm graduated from Nyack College in New York, and is a member of the Nyack Honor Society. He received a Doctorate of Divinity from the Alliance Theological Seminary and has served as the Extension Director for the seminary at Nyack Miami Valley Campus in Dayton, Ohio. He and his wife, Priscilla, have four children and 12 grandchildren. He is an avid reader and tireless runner. He has run more than 35,000 miles in 33 years.

   As a minister at large for the CMA since early 2005, he has led the CMA Ecuadorian national church leaders in their national conference, worked with church leaders in Lima, Peru, participated in Transformed World 2005 Indonesia, visited with Chinese Network church leaders, led pastoral leadership sessions for both the Central and Northeastern districts of the CMA, and served as the interim senior pastor of the Evangelical Free Church of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Far Hills Community Church of Dayton, Ohio, and Findlay Evangelical Free Church of Findlay, Ohio.

Pete and his family (left to right)
Son, Timothy, a security executive for a large electronics corporation out of Chicago; daughter, Kathy, the mother of 4 in Oregon; wife, Priscilla; Pete; daughter, Ruth, the mother of 2 in Ohio; and son, Jeff, a real estate developer in Oregon.