On Sunday, July 10th we ordained and installed Mark Gearig as our Associate Pastor Outreach & Mission here at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He was already in the pulpit this past weekend bringing us a message on Entering into the Suffering of Others, capping off his first week in the office. If you have not had a chance to meet Pastor Mark and his wife Jennifer, be sure to connect with them and welcome them to St. Paul’s soon. In the meantime, here is a little bit of information about Pastor Mark and his family that will help you get to know them.

Pastor Mark A. Gearig grew up in Wauseon, Ohio and is a lifelong LCMS Lutheran. He has been married for four years to Jennifer (Sanford), also from Ohio. Mark and Jennifer have a son, Ezra, who is two years old and they recently welcomed son Noah in May 2016. Mark’s parents reside in Wauseon, Ohio while Jennifer’s parents live in Archbold, Ohio.

Pastor Mark received a BS in Life Science Education from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) in 2009 prior to attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri where he graduated in May 2016. He completed his vicarage at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in North Canton, Ohio under the supervision of Pastor Kip Smith. He has also completed two mission trips to Haiti (one while on vicarage) and one to Guatemala. Jennifer received her Associate Degree in Physical Therapy from Owen’s Community College (Toledo, OH) in 2004. Mark has worked as a high school science teacher and also worked on the grounds crew while at Seminary. Jennifer worked as a physical therapy assistant.

When outside of the office, Mark and Jennifer enjoy hiking and camping, and also spending time together as a family. Mark also enjoys golf, while Jennifer enjoys jewelry making and reading. The Gearigs now own a home here in Decatur on North Water Street. They have already begun exploring and aiming to make connections in their neighborhood.

As Associate Pastor of Outreach & Mission here at St. Paul’s, Pastor Mark will focus in the areas of Community Life, Care Ministry, Missions, and Outreach for our congregation and community. He now joins our preaching team, having shared his first message in worship on June 16th & 17th.

The congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Decatur, IL) is excited and blessed to welcome the Gearigs here. They have already begun meeting many of our St. Paul’s families and have been making plans for what is ahead. We are excited to get to know the Gearig family and we know God will use them in mighty ways here among us.