Pastor Ralph Mineo

Supply-Plus Pastor

Peace be with you! I’m Pastor Ralph Mineo, current “Supply-Plus Pastor” at St. John’s. I’m here primarily to lead worship and preach on weekends. I’m blessed to be part of the music ministry. I provide pastoral care as needed. I love to teach, especially leading Communion Retreats and a Membership Class titled, “What It Means to Be a Lutheran.” I also provide leadership for “Youth Sunday.”

I began my ministry as a Lutheran Pastor in 1980 in Toledo, Ohio. Originally from this area (Union City, Edinboro, and Erie), I was ordained in the Roman Catholic Church in 1977, leaving to marry the love of my life, Jo Mineo, in October 1978. For those who know us, you understand what it means when I refer to us as “The Ralph and Jo Show.”

I served four congregations in the Northwestern Ohio Synod, retiring from full time ministry in November 2020. After Jo and I moved back home to Harborcreek, I began serving as Supply Pastor in the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod in May 2022. After preaching and leading worship at a dozen congregations, Jo and I are now settled in for a while as St. John’s.

As a time of transition, before a new pastor is called here, I’m blessed and honored to be part of this season in the life of St. John’s. Though not officially the “Called Pastor,” I believe in my heart and soul that I’m called, by the grace of God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be here as the pastor of St. John’s. We are indeed “Pastor and People” together. Join us! Let’s make this time of transition a time for growing closer to God in Christ, and a time to do the work the church is called to do!