GET TO KNOW PASTOR ED!

This August marked Pastor Ed’s 8 th anniversary at Hope and his 40 th as an ordained pastor in the ELCA. Along with his family, he was also a charter member of Hope when the congregation was officially organized back in January of 1967. And his mother,Gloria Kropa, was the very first teacher of Hope Christian School which was launched the following September.

Pastor Ed was then confirmed here at Hope and later came back to be ordained as well. Pastor Al Gibson, Hope’s founding pastor, officiated at both occasions.

After being ordained, Pastor Ed served congregations in Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Ohio before finally coming back home to Freehold and the church where he grew up.

He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison N.J. where he earned a B.A. in History and then graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio with his Master of Divinity. While serving All Saints Lutheran Church in Piscataway, Pastor Ed did graduate work at the Theological School of Drew University culminating in a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Pastor Ed and his wife Jeanette have been married 45 years (also in August) and have three adult daughters and two grandsons. Jeanette teaches K-3 Spanish and 4th Grade Language Arts at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Old Bridge.

“It’s been a real joy and privilege to come back to Hope as pastor; the place where it all began for me. And I think this is an exciting time for our congregation, with a bright future full of possibilities!”