Rev. Jon R. Greenstone
I grew up in Brookeville, Maryland where I began a small business growing and selling fruits and vegetables. My experience with growing produce led to a career in horticulture and, later, having completed a degree at the University of Maryland—I worked for eight years in golf course management. However, I realized that greens growing and greens keeping was not the vocation that God had in mind for the long-term. I began praying for discernment to discover God’s direction for my life, and after speaking with others about my gifts and abilities—I was lead to pursue the ordained ministry, where I could lead others to cultivate the Word of God in their life and sow the seeds of the Spirit through the Gospel of peace. I completed a Bachelor of Religion from Shenandoah University, and by the recommendation of my Pastor, The Rev. Paul Opsahl, I entered the ELCA candidacy process toward ordained ministry. In the fall of 1998 I began my studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. As part of my M. Div. studies I did a one year internship at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It was during this internship that I truly felt the joy of ministering with the people and gained valuable lessons that demonstrated how the congregation is a beacon of hope and encouragement to the whole community where it resides. In the spring of 2003 I graduated from LTSG and in the fall of the same year, received the call to serve as Pastor of Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church. I am now in my thirteenth season of ministry at Elias and looking back on the many things we have done as a congregation fills my heart with gratitude. God has done great things through his people at Elias! In 2007 – Elias celebrated 250 years as an established congregation. Every day that the Lord allows us to be his witnesses in this unique place is a great blessing to me, but more importantly, to the whole community. Indeed, I have known the goodness of the Lord as I have enjoyed the privilege of serving his people in this place and I am thankful to continue serving this fold in the Lord’s great pasture. Come, let us go up to the House of the Lord! See you at Elias to worship, give our thanks and praise, and learn from our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
Pr Jon Greenstone
