Dr. Palmer has been senior pastor of University Presbyterian Church since 1991. This is not, however, the first pastoral position he has held with the church.

Dr. Palmer served as UPC's minister of students from 1956 to 1964, after which he served as minister at the Union Church of Manila from 1964 to 1970, then as minister at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley from 1970 to 1991.

Dr. Palmer received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. He then went on to Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, where he earned his master’s of divinity. He continues to serve Princeton Theological Seminary as a member of its Board of Trustees, and is also on the Board of Governors at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C. and on the Board of Trustees at New College Berkeley in Berkeley, California.

Dr. Palmer and his wife, Shirley, have three grown children and seven grandchildren. He is a noted speaker and has authored nearly two dozen books during his years of service.