WHO WE ARE
NATIONAL AFFILIATION
Our Saviour Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA has nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshipping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. The national church body is subdivided into 65 geographical areas called synods.
SYNODICAL AFFILIATION
Our Saviour is a member-congregation within the Florida-Bahamas Synod, comprised of 172 congregations throughout Florida and the Bahamas.
The synod is broken down into smaller geographical units called conferences. Our Saviour is located within the Pinelands Conference, comprised of 12 congregations in Ocala, Gainesville, The Villages, Citrus Springs, Hernando, Crystal River, Wildwood and Leesburg.
Our Saviour Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ Community
Our Saviour Lutheran Church is also a beacon of inclusivity and acceptance as a Reconciling in Christ Community. We open our doors to everyone, embracing diversity and celebrating the uniqueness of each individual as a cherished member of our congregation. Our commitment to being a reconciling community means fostering an environment where all are welcomed, affirmed, and valued for who they are. Join us in our journey of faith, where love, compassion, and understanding unite us in creating a more inclusive and understanding world.
Meet our Pastor
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.
Meet Lay Leaders
Church Council
Current council members are:
(from left in the front row) Kathy Martin, Gary Johnson, Carri Scott, Ann Binski
(from left in the back row) Larry Holmes, David Tiffany, Pastor Nate.
While final decision-making authority belongs to the voting members of the congregation, a Church Council is elected to conduct the ongoing business of the congregation. These lay leaders serve three-year terms on the council and meet monthly.