Blog: PJ’s Spiritual Meanderings
Pastor John has a passion to see people come to know and love God as they journey
through His Word. This passion has taken him from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh before
arriving in Lancaster in 1989 to become the Lead Pastor of Grace Church. In September of 2022, John stepped out of the lead pastoral role and into the position of Senior
Associate. He oversees our Legacy Ministries (older adults ministry) and assists in the
leadership of several other ministries in our church. He also connects with the
community through his role as a police chaplain with the West Lampeter Township PD.
John was prepared for pastoral ministry through his studies at Philadelphia College of
Bible (now Kairn University), Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary) and
Grace Theological Seminary. He continues to be involved in the academic world through
his adjunct teaching at Lancaster Bible College.
John loves a good theological discussion as well as a Pittsburgh Steeler or a Penn State win on the gridiron. You can also find him with his nose in a good book (anything historical or a good legal thriller) or a fishing rod in his hand. And although he doesn’t play golf, he loves to watch the pros who do.
John and his wife, Sharon, love to take walks together and talk about their grandchildren
(they have 8). They have two daughters, Emily who is married to Matthew Hershey and
Kate who is married to Ryan Aument. They also have a son, Tim who is married to Kelly
Rohrer Smith. All their family lives in Lancaster County.