Trinity Tower welcomes Pastor Greg Spencer

Trinity Tower United Methodist Church welcomed a new pastor July 2. Pastor Greg Spencer replaces retired pastor Dale Reese and comes from Trinity UMC in Brackenridge.

Spencer hails from the Titusville and Warren areas and became an ordained deacon in 1983 and pastor in 1985, following in his father’s footsteps.

Feeling the “leaning of the Spirit” and a “call,” Spencer decided to become a pastor when he was studying psychology in college. He said there were many other signs before, as his friends would come to him for advice when he was growing up.

Then, when in seminary school, Spencer said he had a “great awakening,” and has never doubted his journey as a pastor.

“One of the things I love most about being a pastor in this faith is not only are you agreeing to serve the church community but the entire region where you preach,” Spencer said. “There has never once been a doubt in my mind that this is what I was meant to do: help people live an abundant life, like the Bible says, whether they are a person of faith or not.”

Spencer has served at several churches throughout Pennsylvania, including helping congregations implement new styles of services in the ’90s.

“In the ’90s, several communities were looking into how they could reach more members and the advancements in technology were a big part of that,” Spencer said. “I would take photos that related to whatever I was preaching about that week, take photos of the lyrics of the music for that week and get them developed to put into the slide projectors for presentations — now we just do PowerPoints, but it was great to help places create different types of services to reach all members in and outside of the faith.”

Spencer has worked with several camping and youth ministries throughout his time as a pastor. He was the Erie-Meadville district youth coordinator and dean of Canoe Camp and Adventure Camp. He started his own ministry outreach program called Way Stations Ministries, which includes daily devotions on Facebook and via email. Through this project, Spencer partners with the live music venue Steamworks Creative.

“We host these events called Steamworks Spirit Stations, where there are local artists performing, and I preach in between,” Spencer said. “We also work with Band Together Pittsburgh and have open mic nights for those on the autism spectrum, teach them how to play instruments and how to sing and help these individuals better integrate into society — these events are also just a great way for all to distress and continue through our daily lives.”

Spencer’s main message is to “live your faith,” which he credits his wife for identifying.

“The ‘live your faith’ theme has been something I have been preaching about throughout my career,” Spencer said. “I think it just makes the most sense … God gives us these messages and outlines for how to live our lives in the most abundant way possible.”

Spencer is excited to become the new pastor of Trinity Tower and hopes to continue his mission.

“I know the area (Penn Hills) fairly well and want to just learn from the (church) members more about this amazing community and how I can best lead it,” Spencer said. “I want to have weekly hospitality gatherings after masses, have fun events where kids and adults can get together and do things they might not normally do, like go on the Gateway Clipper or go snow tubing, and just show support for the overall community like attending borough and school meetings.”

Church secretary Susan Celedonia, who has been a member at Trinity Tower for about six years,

said each pastor has their “certain way of preaching” that takes time getting used to, and that she finds Spencer to be “very knowledgeable.”

Outside of church and community activities, Spencer enjoys spending time with his wife and family and his many hobbies like martial arts, music and water sports.