Sanford C. Mitchell, Senior Pastor
After serving congregations in Findlay and Defiance, Ohio I was called to Trinity, Ashland in 1978. That's a long time ago! Judy and I lived in town while our sons were growing up. They attended Osborn elementary, the Middle School, and Ashland Senior High School. Jeff, our older son, is a Lay Associate at Epihany Lutheran Church in Pickerington, Ohio. He and Sharla have a daughter and a son. Rod, our younger son, has a factory here in town, SPI, and lives in Wooster with Megan and their two children, also a daughter and a son.
Judy and I (we met when I was "houseboy" at her Chi Omega Sorority House at Wittenberg University) now live three miles south of town on Artesian Lake. We built there so that I could fish, raise swans and ducks, and heat my house with a special built-in furance that allows me to use wood, which I cut and split, and also uses oil so that I don't have to get up at 4:30 a.m. to keep the fire going! That's why I drive a pick-up and have as a prized possession, a chain saw. How sweet it is!
We are blessed to be in a congregation very open to change (2 worship services then, 4 now: traditional worship only back then, three different worship styles now) which only comes when the long-time faithful members are willing to move into the next generation not tied to "the way we've always done it".
We have been a part of a "Share Group" for over 25 years. Share Groups are home Bible studies. We started ours when we all had sons in the 8th grade and feared the teen years. So we banded together! "Mom, everybody's doing it!" they would cry. We'd check with the Share Group and find that, no, nobody was letting their sons go to the party in Mansfield. "So you can't go either." It is a delight to raise children together in the Lord.
In part, that is why Trinity has so much going on for children and parents. Judy and I feel that the most important thing we have done in life is to raise our children. We want Trinity to help other parents do that same thing as well as they can.
As you can tell by the above, we enjoy Trinity and Ashland very much and hope to have many more years here as Pastor and people.
Jeff Messner, Associate Pastor
Meet Pastor Jeff & His Family
After serving congregations in Wooster, Clyde and Akron, OH over the course of 20 years (17 as a Sr. Pastor) I was called back home to Trinity-Ashland in 2003. Yes, I grew up here at Trinity back in the 60’s and 70’s. My wife Cindy and I met at the College of Wooster where we both graduated as Religion Majors in 83’. How romantic, huh?
From there it was off to seminary together. Cindy taught in a Montessori school while I was a Youth Pastor during those years. They were fun…No kids! That seems like a long time ago, especially since our three little ones (Jessica, Jordan, & Jillian) are almost all grown up. They are all young adults now in and around their college years. Before you know it, we’ll be “empty-nesters.” But, then again, there’s this whole phenomenon of the “Boomerang Generation” coming along. According to the theory, a lot of post-college aged young adults are putting off growing up and are moving back in with mom and dad. “OVER MY DEAD BODY!” I tell my wife. But, then again, since I do Young Adult Ministry here at the church, it could be an opportunity for more “ministry experience.”
Cindy teaches 5th Grade at one of the area rural school districts. She loves it! Being a preacher and a teacher, life is busy. So, when summertime comes. We usually like to get away and travel for a few weeks. We love it out West! After 25 years in the ministry, you have to find some way to keep your sanity.
Besides working with the Young Adults here at Trinity, I also work with our Praise Worship service over in Jack’s Place. I teach a variety of classes, including the Homebuilders Young Couples Sunday School Class, the 7th-Grade Catechism Bible Year, 1st Communion Classes, and occasional Wednesday night classes. I also work quite a bit with our AA groups that meet here in the building, as well as preach regularly, lead worship, visit, and do quite a bit of counseling. In addition, I work with local ministries as well. I am the Chair of the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity… I’m the Vice-President of the Ashland County Food Pantry Board and I am a volunteer Chaplain at Samaritan Hospital. Cindy helps out with hosting, lecturing and setting up and serving communion in the Praise Worship service, as well as serving as Chaplain for her local Teacher’s Sorority. We both are part of a small share group of several other couples who help keep us straightened out pretty well.
We’ve enjoyed as a family getting more deeply involved in the fabric of Trinity. This is a vibrant, wonderful, happy congregation with a real heart for the Lord. God has blessed us through you all! We pray for the opportunity to know you all and as well be known more fully by you in the days ahead. It is a joy to serve among you!