Please welcome our Pastor Mark Oster. We would like to share some of his life experiences with you that you may learn to know him better.

            He was baptized as an infant in St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Berea , Ohio and grew up there with a church foundation of Sunday School, youth group experiences, confirmation camp and helped construct a house in Appalachia .

            He graduated from Cleveland State University in 1982 with a degree in Urban Studies and received a Master of Divinity degree in 1987 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus Ohio .

            He served as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cardington Ohio from 1987 to 1990. He was Chaplain/ Therapist from 1990 to 1992 at Parkside Lodge, an addiction treatment center in Columbus Ohio . From 1992 to 1997 he was senior Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Xenia Ohio . He most recently served as an Associate Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashland Ohio .

            He and his wife Ellen have two sons, Ryan, and Eric.

            Pastor Oster’s leadership style involves establishing relationships and listening to our thoughts and ideas, and encouraging “a thousand flowers to bloom” to the glory of God. He encourages small and large group ministry opportunities that include Christ centered learning, service, fellowship and spiritual growth. It is his belief that it is the call of every Christian to worship faithfully, pray daily, read the Bible, serve at and beyond the congregation, listen and look for good in all people, and show faithfulness in giving regularly and generously to support the work of the body of Christ.

                        Pastor Oster invites you to join him in making St. Paul ’s, with God’s help, a blessing to it’s members and to the community of Massillon and beyond!