Pastor Nate Loucks of LaPorte was awarded the 2019 LaPorte County Bar Association Liberty Bell  Award at Law Day ceremonies held on May 10th at the LaPorte Circuit Courthouse. The Liberty Bell is awarded annually by the Bar Association to a deserving LaPorte citizen recognized for community service and to a dedication to “good government and civic responsibility.”  Pastor Loucks was nominated for the award by Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alevizos, Superior Court No. 4 Judge Greta Friedman and LaPorte attorney Shaw Friedman. Since 2010 in partnership with friends and family, he started the State Street Church and Pax Center. The Church and Pax Center operate the Jackson Street Community Garden and the Brighton Street Green space providing community gardens, summer childrens’ education and u-pick areas for neighbors to gain access to healthy foods.  Nate is also bringing diverse parts of our community together with his enormously successful “Discussion over Dinner,” a live monthly community conversation and podcast shared over a meal while discussing issues relevant to the county.

Currently president of Family Advocates of LaPorte County, Nate Loucks serves on the boards of NWI Food Council and the Singing Company of LaPorte County.  In his spare time, Nate coaches little league baseball, serves on the Guiding All Kids advisory team at Riley and volunteers with the Juvenile Justice Neighborhood accountability board.

Pastor Loucks is also a recipient of the Ray & Lucy Swanson Award for Community Service awarded at the Swanson Center’s annual dinner.  Married to his college sweetheart, Ema, the Loucks have three children.