Presbyterian Church of Vinton

     WELCOME PASTOR JOHANNES POETSCHNER (Pastor Hans)

   On February 4th, at the Annual Congregational Meeting, Rev. Johannes Poetschner (Pastor Hans) was approved as our new pastor. Pastor Hans, as he wishes to be called, comes here from his home in Springfield, Il. His wife is also a pastor and ministers to a small congregation in Illinois. She will stay in Springfield where their home base will remain.   Pastor Hans will begin his position here on March 1st.     Pastor Hans was born in Vienna, Austria and holds a Magister der Philosophie, a Magister der Theologies from the University of Vienna and a Master of Arts from Vanderbilt University. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1998. It was at Austin Presbyterian Seminary where he met his wife. He jokingly said that the couple tossed a coin to decide whether to stay in the U.S. or to go to Austria and for better or worse the U.S. won the toss. The couple has one son who resides in Illinois.     Pastor Hans has an extensive background in academics and Pastoral Care emphasizing church redevelopment and evangelism. He has the unique ability to assess a congregation’s needs and asks us to look within our belief system and accept the tools for positive change that revitalizes our congregation. He has a deep desire to help us not only to renew our church, but more importantly to renew our personal faith with God. Pastor Hans will guide us through change that is necessary to sustain us but is also not afraid to change course if needed.     Pastor Hans also believes that the future of any congregation is rooted in the youth of the church. He wants to provide leadership and guidance to our youth, to give them the tools to accept God’s guidance and become active members in our church as they enter adulthood.    Pastor Hans sums up his understanding of himself this way, “While European by origin, I see myself as a classic American trailblazer. In me is always the curiosity, what lies beyond the next hill, the drive to explore new places, meet new people, face new challenges.”     During the lengthy process of finding a new Pastor, the PNC knew after meeting Pastor Hans that he is the right person at this time to minister to our congregation. The PNC asks that you welcome Pastor Hans and help him, help us to renew ourselves and our congregation for the future.Information provided by the PNC