Meet Pastor

Nate Gruel

Pastor Nate Gruel began serving as Minister of Word and Sacrament in the role of Interim Pastor for Our Saviour Lutheran Church on June 1, 2015. Approximately 19 months later, the congregation extended a call to him to serve as their pastor, and he was installed into that position on January 15, 2017.

Nate was trained in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS), where he became a pastor following his ordination on June 18, 1972. He served two parishes in Indiana until 1980- when he left the clergy roster of the LC-MS. He attempted on several occasions to be restored to a clergy roster, first with the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (ALEC) and also with the American Lutheran Church (ALC).

During the time spent outside his primary calling to professional ministry, Nate was employed in the newspaper industry with roles in graphics, production and editing. Most recently he served as Editor and Production Manager at the Courier Journal in Crescent City, Florida. He retired from that position in August 2011. 

On March 14, 2011, Nate was approved to the clergy roster of the ELCA by the Candidacy Committee of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. From 2008 to 2011 he served in a non-called position as Assistant to the Pastor at University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry in Gainesville.

Of Welcome

As a community of God, the people of Our Saviour Lutheran Church of Marion Oaks affirm their mission to reach out to all people by embracing them with God's love and welcome everyone in Jesus' name.

We commit to follow the example of Christ by caring for, loving, understanding and listening to each other, regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, gender and gender identities, marital status, physical and mental abilities, national origins, economic status or political affiliation.



We celebrate together our unity as God's people. Our Saviour Lutheran Church is a place for each person to shine in their own unique gifts.

Therefore, in faithfulness to the Gospel and our Lutheran heritage, and to the best of our ability, we will strive to provide ministries and pastoral care to all who seek God in this place.