More about Pastor Josh: Pastor Josh joined the First Lutheran Church staff in 2022.  He loves serving at First and in Over the Rhine where the arts and diversity thrive.  Before he became a pastor he and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers.  They have three children.  In his time off Pastor Josh enjoys bicycling and especially long-distance bike trips.  Prior to coming to First Lutheran Pastor Josh served as pastor of two other congregations in Ohio.  He first felt called into ordained ministry when he was a summer camp counselor and youth director at a church.  He delights in being a pastor because he gets to be a messenger of God’s grace. 

More about Pastor Brian: Pastor Brian began serving First Lutheran as Pastor August 1, 2014. Over-the-Rhine has been experiencing a significant revitalization in recent years. Pastor Brian is excited to be in a position to work with the First faith community in finding ways to faithfully engage the many new opportunities that are being presented as the neighborhood is transformed. Prior to coming to First, Pastor Brian served as Mt Zion Lutheran's pastor in Hudson, Wisconsin for 10 years. He began his ministry serving four years as Youth and Family Minister at Our Savior's, Sandwich, Illinois. He is a graduate of Augustana College and Luther Seminary.

More About Matthew: Matthew is currently working on his Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Matthew grew up in the evangelical tradition but moved to the ELCA in 2017. Matthew received his Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the University of North Texas, College of Music. He and his husband, Tyler, live in Cincinnati with their four-legged furbaby, Luther. Matthew's responsibilities include developing, planning, and leading our worship life together. 

More About Joshua: Joshua is a Marketing Specialist from Loveland, OH. Joining our staff in 2022, Joshua coordinates our sanctuary technology so in person and online worshipers can hear and see clearly as well as coordinates our social media platforms keeping the First Lutheran community connected. During normal business hours you'll find him working at a North American freight brokerage and third-party logistics firm called Total Quality Logistics. He loves video games, hiking at local state parks, and eating too many Reese's cups. If he could be anywhere in the world right now it would be relaxing in a fire-watch tower on the west coast.