|
Erik A. Ostrow
(better known around here as Pastor Erik) grew up in
Collingswood, NJ. He was raised in church from age two.
Since age eight, First UMC of Collingswood has been his
home church. He grew in his Christian walk under the
spiritual leadership of Rev. Jack Hamilton, Rev. Dick
Esher, and many laity in the church.
Erik heard the call
to ministry at age 16 and has continued to follow the
path that God laid out for him. After graduating from
Collingswood High School in 1995, he began his higher
education locally; earning an A.A. in Liberal Arts from
Camden County College in 1997 and a B.A. in Psychology
in 1999 from Rowan University. He also completed the
Dale Carnegie Course in the summer of 1999. All the
while, he continued to support and serve in his home
church in a variety of ways including, leading worship,
singing in the choir, playing drums, participating in
dramas, working with the youth, teaching Jr. High guys
Sunday School, hospital visitation, serving on
administrative committees, and even some preaching.
In September of
1999, Erik journeyed to Wilmore, KY where he attended
Asbury Theological Seminary, where he completed his
Master of Divinity Degree in 2003. He also served two
years on Asbury’s Student Body Council and worked with
the Ichthus Ministries annual concert and festival. Some
other ministry experiences include playing drums for the
worship team at Wilmore UMC, assisting with the youth at
Open Door Free Methodist Church, a prison ministry
weekend with the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions in
Troy, NC, and chaplaincy work at the Thomson-Hood
Veterans Home in Wilmore, KY, and at the Veterans’
Affairs hospital in Lexington, KY. In addition, he was
the drummer and backing vocalist for the band
N.A.I.L.E.D. The group wrote and played original,
Christian music and even recorded the CD, Anger
Management under the record label, Bored Martyr
Records.
Pastor Erik began
his full-time ministry with the United Methodist Church
2003 and was commissioned as a Probationary Elder at the
2004 session of the Greater New Jersey Annual
Conference. He has served churches in Atlantic, Camden,
and Gloucester Counties in various positions such as
Associate Pastor, leading a church as a solo Pastor, and
now serving the two point charge of St. John’s of
Harrisonville and Ferrell in Monroeville. Some of his
ministry interests include preaching, teaching,
visitation, sacraments, music, and drama.
In March of 2006,
Pastor Erik married his true love, Amy. She also serves
in full-time ministry, as the main receptionist at
Pitman Manor, one of the United Methodist Homes in the
Greater New Jersey Conference.
Outside of the
ministry, Pastor Erik and Amy enjoy artwork (especially
Thomas Kinkade), taking walks, eating out, and visiting
such places as the Cape May Zoo, Smithville Village, and
Ocean City Boardwalk. They also enjoy animals. In
particular Amy’s favorite is the wolf, while Erik’s
favorite is the Eagle. They also enjoy their two dogs;
Ginger (a 5-year-old Greyhound-Yellow Labrador Mix) and
Night Rider (a.k.a. Rider, an 8-year-old retired racing
Greyhound).
Pastor Erik, as
well and members and friends of the church look
forward to meeting with you during Sunday morning
worship or one of our many other activities. God Bless. |