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 Pastor Paul Thwaite
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Pastor Paul Thwaite’s ministry at Orchard Lake began in December 2009 as co-pastor alongside retiring pastor David Robertson. His ministry here follows over 20 years of pastoral ministry in congregations in Grove City, Oil City, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Paul is excited to lead a wonderful staff team in discovering how the Orchard Lake community of faith can grow in its caring for Christ, the church, and the surrounding community, sustaining a legacy of nearly 140 years of Christian worship and ministry in the Orchard Lake area. Paul grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and was nurtured in faith at the First Presbyterian Church under the leadership of pastors such as Lloyd Ogilvie and Keith Brown among others. After attending Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts as a history major, Paul attended Fuller Theological Seminary for his Master of Divinity degree and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to receive his Doctor of Ministry degree. He is married to Janet (Wolfe), a native Pittsburgher, and they have two daughters, Katie and Rebecca, who are currently students at Walled Lake Northern High School. Paul enjoys reading history and biography, sports, spending time with family, vacations at the beach, and attending the Indy 500 each year on Memorial Day weekend. Paul’s vision for ministry grows out of his own personal journey of discipleship as he desires to faithfully follow Jesus Christ and lead others into a deeper connection with Christ in their own lives. Mission experiences through the years in the United States, Central America, and Africa have helped shape Paul’s experience of the Body of Christ. Through leadership in worship, mission, Christian education, pastoral care, and outreach, Paul hopes to guide others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, a growing involvement in the local congregation, and a growing commitment to be sent out as servants of Christ in the community and the world. |