John Erthein was born in 1967 and raised in New York City and on Long Island. He was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church and still appreciates their liturgy and the way they celebrate Communion. However, as a young adult, John felt called to become Presbyterian because of the richness of Reformed Theology.
As a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Michigan Law school, John had a brief career as a lawyer, but his heart was being drawn to ministry in the church. For him, the most significant turning point came in 1992, when he attended a Billy Graham Crusade, was convicted of his sin, repented and confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This experience planted the seed that would grow into a desire to pursue ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. He received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2002.
As a pastor, John has served congregations in Pennsylvania and Florida. In his ministry, John has supported various evangelical or “renewal” ministries in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and currently supports the Fellowship Community of Presbyterians.
John also enjoys working with churches of different denominational backgrounds and different ethnic compositions.
John was married for 12 years, and has three great children from his marriage: his son Matthew, 14; his daughter Lillian, 12; and his daughter Laura, 9. He is ever grateful to God for the gift of these children and the time they can spend together.