At our congregational meeting on Sunday, June 26, Rev. Jon E. Martin was elected by unanimous vote, 99-0, to serve as the next pastor of First Presbyterian Church.
Originally from northern California, Rev. Martin comes to us by way of Abingdon, Virginia. He and his wife Susanne, who is also a Presbyterian minister, have two grown children, Katherine, a college graduate who is working as a video game artist in Los Angeles, and Jonah, who will be a sophomore at UNC-Charlotte. They also have a golden retriever.
In 2019, Rev. Martin was commissioned in the United States Navy Reserve and presently serves as the Chaplain to a Marine Reserve Battalion based in Pasadena, California. He started his working life as an aerospace engineer just out of college, but has been a pastor for twenty-four years.
Rev. Martin has worked with every age group in the church and has been very actively involved in the ministry and life of the church as he has served. He has both led and stepped back to allow others to lead. In his profile, he notes, “Young adults are spiritual, and I want to understand how they value faith and service. God has a place for them in the church, and I want to discover how the church can be a place for them to thrive. I appreciate that they have much to teach me, as they take a greater leadership role in the leadership of the church.”
We are looking forward to learning, working, and ministering alongside our new pastor! His first Sunday with us will be August 21st. If you were not able to be present for the congregational meeting and wish to know more about Rev. Martin, you may pick up a copy of his profile at the church office, or you may contact the office (336-248-2140 or office@fpclexnc.com) to have one mailed to you.
