Meet the Staff at St. Paul's
Rev. Martin Gehring
Pastor
We welcome Pastor Martin Gehring to St. Paul's!
His first official day was July 26, 2021.
Pastor Martin Gehring grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, and attended Valparaiso University where he earned a degree in theology. He worked nine years as a newspaper illustrator and designer in Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee before attending Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He earned a Master of Divinity and was ordained in 1997. Since then, he has served churches in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio while also serving on synod council, recruitment and discipline committees, and as head of his ministerium.
When he isn’t working, Martin enjoys spending time with family, reading, renovating and riding old bicycles, building wood ship models, hiking, history, and repairing assorted “stuff.”
Martin is married to Ruth, who is an artist and a recently published writer. They have two adult children, William and Allison, both living in Ohio.
Choir & Jubilate Ringers Director
Dustin Hill
Dustin Hill is the Director of the Choirs - the Covenant Choir and Jubilate Bell Choir - here at St. Paul’s ELCA. He is a proud graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he obtained his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting in 2013, and a Bachelor's of Vocal Performance in 2011. Prior, Dustin was a 2007 graduate of Newark High School here in town! He has directed many church choirs over the years, and taught at different universities. He has conducted symphony orchestra, large and small choral ensembles, (ranging from groups of 6 to well over 100 at times), brass ensembles, and strings.
Dustin has been a soloist with the Columbus Symphony (December 2023), and performed professional Opera while serving as the principal tenor for the Toledo Opera company for several seasons. Currently, he performs and sings with the illustrious ProArte ensemble here in Central Ohio, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and does Solo work when he can. Dustin plays the trombone on the side as well - it was his first musical love!
By day, Dustin is a proud Employee Owner for Big Sandy Superstore in Columbus. For fun, Dustin adores spending time with, his fiancé (Kylie), his 2 girls (Amelia and Melody), and their dog, Carlos! They love taking trips to the Zoo, COSI, and Wildwood Park in Granville. In his free time, Dustin loves to play video games (like Halo), watch sports (like College and NFL Football), spend time with family and friends, and listen to music! Dustin is a major foodie and is always excited to try new places, and new-to-me flavor profiles - with his favorite cuisine being Lebanese!
Dustin is blessed to be here at St. Paul’s.
Jodie Nickles - Parish Office Secretary
Jodie has been the Parish Secretary at St. Paul's since January of 2018.
Jodie is a lifelong resident of Newark and retired from the Federal Government
after 28 years of service. She has one son and enjoys
gardening, reading, needlepoint and caring for her rescue dogs and cats.