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Rev. Ron Schlak
Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 1994 - current
M/Div – LSTC (Seminex)
Ordained in the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches – Feb13, 1977
Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Palatka, FL. 1977 - 1983
Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monessen, PA. 1983 - 1994
Masters degree – Formative Spirituality – Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA - 1994
I have been a full time parish pastor throughout my career, serving in two other Lutheran congregations before coming to Trinity Lutheran in Charleston. In addition to my parish activities I serve the West Virginia – Western Maryland Synod as a mediator trained in Lombard Mennonite Peace Ministries, as a facilitator for Healthy Congregations and also
BridgeBuilders. I serve as a mentor in First Call Theological Education and as a mentor in the Fresh Start program our synod conducts in conjunction with the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia.
My wife Vickie is a registered nurse and works in the Medical Affairs Office of Charleston Area Medical Center. We have three grown children – Dan, Tim, and Amanda. Dan lives in Alexandria, VA. Tim resides in Pittsburgh, PA. Amanda is a senior at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.
Biking has always been my passion. In high school other boys couldn’t wait to get a car. I couldn’t wait to get a new bike. Two years ago I received a road bike for Christmas. I enjoyed it so much, I began to ride it every day – twenty five miles a day. Before I knew it, I lost 55 pounds. And I have kept the weight off. I have come to enjoy biking for a cause. In September of 2007 I biked the West Virginia Almost Heaven Multiple Sclerosis Bike ride.
When Fred, David and I first talked about this ride for Lutheran World Hunger, I saw it as a wonderful event through which we could help the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reach its goal of $25,000,000 to alleviate hunger. Since then I have learned a few things about hunger. I have learned that we actually have the resources to end world hunger in our own lifetime. I have learned that hunger is around the globe – but also in my town of Charleston, WV. I can ride for people on the other side of the world, but I can also work with and for a food bank right here in Charleston.
And, I have come to appreciate the fact that many people my age can no longer ride a bike at all, let alone make a 12,000 mile journey on such a vehicle. One friend in particular, who can no longer ride a bike, come to me and gave me his blessings and encouragement for this ride. I think that was the moment I began to sense that Fred, David and I are not riding for ourselves, but we are riding on behalf of a lot of people – people who don’t have ample food and people who don’t have ample health. It is a privilege and honor for me to take this ride.
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