About our Pastor

 

 Brian Beissel

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Rev. Brian Beissel was born and raised in Frackville, the child of a single mother who raised him in the Lutheran faith at Zion Lutheran Church in that borough. Pastor Brian attended North Schuylkill High School and graduated in 1998, having been the marching band’s drum major and enjoying playing the trumpet, which he still does occasionally. He was part of the Boy Scout Troop in Frackville, having attained the rank of Eagle. Upon graduating high school, Pastor Brian attended Susquehanna University, graduating with a B.A. in Religion and a minor in Music in 2002. He was a member of the University’s Standing Committee in Religious Life and enjoyed participating in the Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble.

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Pastor Brian attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, graduating in 2007 and becoming ordained in 2008. While at seminary, during his time as a summer chaplain at Geisinger, he met his wife Michelle, then a candidate to be pastor in the United Methodist Church. They married in 2006. His internship congregation, Grace Lutheran Church in Northumberland, became his first call, and he served two years as an intern and three years as a called pastor, sharing services upon ordination with Trinity Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Danville. After living in Northumberland for five wonderful years, the Beissel’s each sought new adventures, and as such, Pastor Brian was called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley View in 2011. Pastor Michelle currently serves as pastor of Elysburg United Methodist Church and they live in Shamokin. Pastors Brian and Michelle adopted a son, Timothy, in 2017, and he provides much love, energy, and humor. Pastor Brian can often be found playing the guitar or watching the Philadelphia Phillies when he has a spare minute.