Brought up as a Lutheran in Buffalo, New York I never expected to be a United Methodist pastor serving in Norfolk and Raymondville ... But, God does work in mysterious and miraculous ways (and, I'm sure, with some sense of humor, too).

    In God's mysterious ways: my parents, Bob and Louise Lenz, met, were confirmed, and were married in the same church by the same pastor who baptized and confirmed me, their oldest of six children. Both sets of my grandparents were also long-time, active members of that same church. So, for me to feel a calling-into-the-ministry, around the age of twelve, was not only natural - it was expected. However, the call went unanswered until (more than thirty years later) I became a member of the Canton United Methodist Church, here in the North Country.

    In God's miraculous ways: my oldest daughter, Carrie, her husband Kevin, and my first grandson, Lane live in Kansas City Missouri as do my twins, Corinne and Heinrich. My wife Kathy (daughter of Dale and Mary Lousie Baxter of Norfolk), our daughter Kelli, and I feel especially blessed to be a part of this community and faith family which I now serve as a first-time pastor.

    And in God's humorous ways, as the seeds of God's calling slowly grew within me, I had careers in  Radio/Television, agriculture and agri-business, and in education. Interviewing for the agri-business career, I suggested (with tongue-in-cheek), "Send me anywhere, but don't send me to Bangor, Maine." I moved to Norfolk to live, and my first assignment was in Bangor - New York.

    All praise and glory is given to my Creator God for bringing me to Norfolk and Raymondville United Methodist Churches where, I pray, we may, together as partners in faith, be about the work of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.