SPRINGFIELD — Pastor Kreston Rae Lipscomb, 68, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at his home surrounded by family. Kreston was born March 23, 1953, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of Roscoe and Marian A. Russell Lipscomb. He married Elizabeth Anne Scudder at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dixon, Illinois, on July 31, 1976. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Preston, in 1953; and his son, Andrew James, in 1982. Kreston was a graduate of Dixon High School, North Central College and Bethany Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1978. He served 45 years in pastoral ministry, being first licensed at Downers Grove Methodist Church. He was ordained as a pastor at the Lower Miami Church of the Brethren (COB) in Dayton, Ohio, in 1979, where he served until 1986. He was pastor at First Church of the Brethren Springfield from 1986 to 2018. He was also active with the Brethren denomination at large in a variety of leadership positions. Kreston was a co-founder of Love of God Over Self (LOGOS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to literacy, women's rights and racial equality in southern Illinois. He served that organization from 1974–79. While at the Lower Miami COB, he was active with the Sanctuary Movement, which provided a safe haven for political refugees from Central America. Locally, Kreston's volunteer work included the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association, Contact Ministries, Church World Service through Springfield CROP Hunger Walk, Compass for Kids and several homeless shelters. He and his wife, Elizabeth, led the monthly Share Support Group at HSHS St. John's Hospital for 25 years, helping bereaved parents with infant loss. Kreston enjoyed time with family and friends. He liked playing and watching sports. He was an avid Cubs fan. He liked road trips, camping and national parks. He liked socializing, and he always made an effort to get to know people. He sought out Ethiopian food and gas station coffee. Kreston is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of Springfield; three daughters, Corinne E. (Ben Martin) Lipscomb of St. Paul, Minnesota, Laura E. Lipscomb (Jordan Goldschmidt) and Rebecca M. Lipscomb (Brian Kelly), both of Springfield; three grandchildren, Charlotte E. Koerner, Adrian A. Martin and Michael Frerichs; one brother, Marcus L. (Connie) Lipscomb of Polo, Illinois; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Pastor Lipscomb's family will meet friends at 9 a.m. until the time of the celebration of life service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at First Church of the Brethren Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202, or First Church of the Brethren Springfield Memorial Fund, 2115 Yale Blvd., Springfield, IL 62703. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Pastor Kreston Lipscomb. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.