Our Team

Pastor Jonathan came to St. Paul in July of 2025 after a variety of life and ministry experiences. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management and Agribusiness (Ohio State), a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education (Ohio State), and attended seminary at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. His ministry experience includes youth ministry, serving two congregations in Mansfield (consolidated into one new congregation - Hope Lutheran), being a part of the Synod Bishop election committee, and serving as the Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop in the Northeastern Ohio Synod. Missing the depth of relationship found in congregations, Pastor Jonathan returned to congregational ministry and was called to serve St. Paul. He currently serves the Northeastern Ohio Synod as the Synod’s Southwest Conference Dean. He has three children – Lorelai, Luke, and Vivian. They share their home with two dogs (Daisy & Holly) and their guinea pigs (Caramel, Oreo). When not doing church work, Pastor Jonathan loves cycling, hiking, lake life (especially the Great Lakes), ice-skating, landscaping, and renovation projects.

Laura was born in Mansfield and graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1994. She attended The University of Findlay, where she received a bachelors degree in Business Administration and played 4 years of collegiate soccer. She loves sports, Jesus, and has a passion to serve others. Her family is from Bellville. She loves the village and loves to support local and small business owners. She is married to her best friend, Tom, and they reside in Mansfield. Laura has 2 children, Kayleigh and Carson, and a step daughter, Kristin. Their family has 2 fur friends, dogs, Remington and Bear. Tom and Laura regularly attend Berean Baptist Church in Mansfield. Laura’s favorite color is purple. She loves Jesus, coffee, music, and Ohio State football. Her birthday is June 15, and she loves the summer and fall months. She loves to be outdoors, in the woods, and enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. Her favorite holiday is Christmas!

Cheryl Lantz leads and enhances our worship with contemporary music. She and her husband, Gary, have been married 50 years and are lifelong residents of the Clear Fork Valley. They have 2 grown children, Brian and Sarah, and 3 grandchildren — Isaac, Zachary, and Aubryn. Cheryl is retired from Clear Fork High School, where she was the office secretary for 31 years. She enjoys camping with her family. Cheryl thinks in music and can come up with a song that fits any situation!

Denise has been the organist here since she was sixteen, predating the rest of the staff! She is a gifted and dedicated musician who also leads our adult choir. Besides being an accomplished musician, she also enjoys the art of oil painting, which she does with meticulous precision. She lives with her daughter, Amanda, who is an exuberant presence in our midst.
The Jerry Lang Memorial Scholarships are given in honor of Denise’s late husband, a lifelong educator.

Our financial books are kept in perfect order by our treasurer, Beth Fry. She took over as treasurer in 2016. Beth also has worked part-time for Directions Credit Union for 34 years and has served Perry Township as the fiscal officer for 16 years. She is a lifetime resident of Bellville, and life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Beth and her husband, Amos, were married here over 30 years ago and have two grown children and 4 grandchildren.

Jeannie is retired from The Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center as a Patient Services Specialist. She is married to her wonderful wife, Sherri. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Jeannie loves helping others, and we love having her on staff at St. Paul, enjoying the meticulous ways she keeps our building clean and sparkling. She is also an accomplished canvas painter. Her favorite thing to paint is animals of all kinds.