The Mission of St. Paul Lutheran Church is to be passionate followers of JESUS, making disciples by eagerly connecting the community with the faith, hope, and love that transforms.
Staff
The staff and leadership here at St. Paul Lutheran Church is comprised of people who love and care for our
church and community. If you have any questions feel free to reach out and email any of our staff. You can also
reach our office at 863-644-7710 or via email at
questions@stpaullakeland.org
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Andy Ritchie
Senior Pastor
Good Day! I am a second career pastor. That means I had a first career and it was in the fishing industry. My wife and I have been married for over 25 years.After 10 years of marriage we were finally blessed with kids (A boy and 2 girls) after we began talking adoption. We have tried raising our kids with a love of doing things outdoors, loving people and loving Jesus because of Jesus’ love for us. We love to be with people and sharing life with others. Sometimes a life journey is a rocky road like our family life journey. Sometimes a life journey is a smooth journey but the walking together as God’s people is an awesome thing for it shows how God is at work in all our lives. I have served churches in Alaska and Minnesota. It's all about people and serving Jesus. Hope you come and visit us sometime or better yet reach out and let me come and visit with you. Jesus with you and Jesus for you!
email
aritchie@stpaullakeland.org
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I enjoy sharing the Good News of Jesus to my fellow country Hmong people who are part of St. Paul family in Lakeland, Florida.
Seven years ago, I had a vision to start a new mission in Central Florida because the weather in Florida is similar to the weather in our home country.
One of my hobbies is farming. I plant rice and vegetables every year to feed my family, my friends and the needy families who need my help. I consider the work that I am doing is a great privilege from God.
email
zyang@stpaullakeland.org
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Nick Moss
Director of Christian Education
I have been at St. Paul for over 10 years and love the community of people that have become like a family to me. A big passion of mine is the LCMS National Youth Gathering. I am on the planning team for the 2019 Gathering in Minneapolis, MN and have been to every Gathering since 1998. The 4 people in my life that mean the most to me are my wife and 3 daughters. I would love to meet your family and talk to you about the ministries we have here at St. Paul.
email
nmoss@stpaullakeland.org
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Tracy Trinklein
Finance Administrator
I have been a member of St. Paul since I was seven - of course that was only a few years ago! My husband and I have a special place in our hearts for the school as both of our kids graduated from St. Paul. I love being able to serve others behind the scenes and feel truly called to what God has asked me to do here. I have a heart for learning more of what God has in store for me and enjoy being in Bible study watching others experience it too. It is my hope and prayer that each of us will desire to search for the path that God has laid out for us.
email
ttrinklein@stpaullakeland.org
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Ken Sherman
Director of Music
My family joined the St. Paul community in 2014 through the school, which has been a wonderful experience. I began serving our community as part of the staff in 2019. Growing up across many denominations, I have found joy in worship across many musical cultures. I love how music provides an opportunity to create collaboratively, and how it enables all of us to worship our God in a unique and meaningful way. By the way - if you're interested in participating, send me an email!
email
kensherman@stpaullakeland.org
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Pete Herbert
Director of Visitation
There is nothing better than to be able to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ. My position here at St. Paul, where I have been a member for almost forty years, allows me to visit and share the healing, saving Good News of God with those who are hospitalized, shut in, or unable to attend church for a number of reasons. Of all the work I have done in my career, including almost twenty years ministering to inmates in the Florida Department of Corrections prison system as an ordained Senior Chaplain, I find spending precious time with our senior members as the most rewarding. Of course, I also love leading worship and preaching the Gospel. I thank God for the wonderful life he has given me, for my beautiful wife who brought me to St. Paul and our two children who did or do now work here, and for the ministry staff here that I have the honor of serving with. May God bless you!
email
pherbert@stpaullakeland.org
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Becky Howell
Church Administration
The Lord has truly blessed me in allowing me to serve him through the ministries here at St. Paul. My prayer is that through my service here, I can be a blessing to the community, to my family, and to the church, while bringing all the honor and glory to Christ.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
email
bhowell@stpaullakeland.org
Our Beliefs
It's Still all about Jesus
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son. We believe that by His holy life and innocent suffering and death on the cross, He paid for the debt of our sin. He has made us right with God and saved us for eternal life. Whoever believes in Him will not die, but shall have everlasting life.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Meaningful Worship
Through God's Word and Sacraments, our hearts interact and commune with the heart of God. Worship is powerful. St. Paul uses music in traditional and contemporary forms and the messages come right from scripture and touch the heart, mind and soul. The prayers are personal and sacred and reach out to the mercy and grace of God.
Christian Education
We are students of God’s Word, no matter what our age. God’s Word instructs us for life now and on into eternity. We realize how important it is to study God’s Word so that we may grow in our knowledge of God.
Community
All Christians are to show Christ-like love for others. Caring is done best in the context of strong relationships. We all long to be loved and to love; to serve and be served. We are to carry one another’s burdens and share each other’s joys. We are about supporting, visiting, and connecting with others throughout life’s journey.
Relevance to our neighbors
We are told to love our neighbors as ourselves. We seek out local mission opportunities where we can bring Christ’s love in tangible actions followed by words that bring new life.
LCMS
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
The local church is not merely a place that we attend but a people to whom we belong. The Bible calls us members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) with the expectation that we contribute to the body for the glory of God and the good of His people.
Martin Luther, who is the father of the Lutheran church taught the basics of our beliefs in the Small Catechism. Learn more about the LCMS here.
