meet pastor alliyah BlakeleyPastor Alliyah was installed at St. John as our pastor on September 12, 2021. She can be reached at the church office by phone or by email. Below is more information about our pastor.
Pastor Alliyah married Randy Blakeley on May 18, 2024 at a service at St. John. Pastor Alliyah was ordained August 15, 2021 at her home congregation Christ the King Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota. She served her internship year at St. John Lutheran of Boerne, Texas under the guidance of Pastor Eric Waters, with Associate Pastor Mariola Bergquist. She is the oldest daughter of Pastor Dani Jo Bierwagen and Pastor William Greaver. Her sister is Talitha Greaver. She received two MDiv degrees, from the North American Lutheran Seminary and Trinity School for Ministry. Pastor Alliyah also did pastoral studies at Luther Seminary and the Institute of Lutheran Theology. Her undergraduate degree is from Drake University, Des Moines, IA with a double major in Religion and Socio-Legal Studies. Before coming to St. John, Pastor Alliyah worked in Christian Education settings and at Ingham-Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp. She loves the Lord and is happy to be part of St. John and the Greenville community. She is a member of the Greater Greenville Ministerial Association and the Southwest Ohio Mission District Executive Committee. If you would like to learn more about the church, Pastor Alliyah would be happy to get connected and meet with you. |
Pastoral Emergencies or Pastoral Needs
If you would like to visit with Pastor, please contact the church office to schedule a time to visit. If you have a more immediate pastoral need or a pastoral emergency please do not hesitate to contact the church office or call Pastor's cell number. Pastor Alliyah can also be reached at her email: [email protected]. |
Pastor’s Thoughts… (from the May Newsletter)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our Mission Statement at St. John is “Growing in Grace. Living by Faith. Serving with Love.” - I have been reflecting especially on this first part “Growing in Grace” this Spring. We know what it takes for flowers to grow – sun, water, rich soil. But do we as Christians, know what it takes for us to “Grow in Grace” - what does that growth look like, what sorts of nutrients are required? During our Vision Day in April, we spent some time praying and talking about “Growth” in our church. It is our prayer that God would continue to bring new lives to his kingdom, expand our impact in the community, and that our hearts would grow in devotion and knowledge of him.
This Summer I have a few ideas of how we might tackle this together. I hope to lead a study during the Summer covering some practical Christian discipleship topics about “Growing in Grace” - prayer, Bible Reading, witnessing, and service – watch for more information on this during June / July. I also am offering to us all a Summer Challenge along with your church Evangelism Team.
Each member of St. John is challenged over the course of the Summer (June, July, August) to invite 3 people to church or engage in a faith conversation with 3 people outside of church. In Ohio, did you know more than 62% of people don’t go to church on a regular basis. In Greenville, there are likely 7,500 people who don’t currently attend church. And according to statistics from LifeWay most people who start attending a church do so because they were invited by someone they knew. There’ll be more information on this challenge in the weeks to come, but I hope that you’ll embrace this challenge with me and begin praying about who God may want you to invite.
Who in your circle of connections doesn’t yet know the Lord, who is God leading you to reach out to? The truth is, not only is sharing your faith one way to help your neighbor grow, but it also helps us grow – as we proclaim in confidence what Christ has done in our life and have the opportunity to watch how he works through us. I pray for boldness for each of you as you seek the Lord and grow in grace this Summer. Amen!
Pastor Alliyah
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our Mission Statement at St. John is “Growing in Grace. Living by Faith. Serving with Love.” - I have been reflecting especially on this first part “Growing in Grace” this Spring. We know what it takes for flowers to grow – sun, water, rich soil. But do we as Christians, know what it takes for us to “Grow in Grace” - what does that growth look like, what sorts of nutrients are required? During our Vision Day in April, we spent some time praying and talking about “Growth” in our church. It is our prayer that God would continue to bring new lives to his kingdom, expand our impact in the community, and that our hearts would grow in devotion and knowledge of him.
This Summer I have a few ideas of how we might tackle this together. I hope to lead a study during the Summer covering some practical Christian discipleship topics about “Growing in Grace” - prayer, Bible Reading, witnessing, and service – watch for more information on this during June / July. I also am offering to us all a Summer Challenge along with your church Evangelism Team.
Each member of St. John is challenged over the course of the Summer (June, July, August) to invite 3 people to church or engage in a faith conversation with 3 people outside of church. In Ohio, did you know more than 62% of people don’t go to church on a regular basis. In Greenville, there are likely 7,500 people who don’t currently attend church. And according to statistics from LifeWay most people who start attending a church do so because they were invited by someone they knew. There’ll be more information on this challenge in the weeks to come, but I hope that you’ll embrace this challenge with me and begin praying about who God may want you to invite.
Who in your circle of connections doesn’t yet know the Lord, who is God leading you to reach out to? The truth is, not only is sharing your faith one way to help your neighbor grow, but it also helps us grow – as we proclaim in confidence what Christ has done in our life and have the opportunity to watch how he works through us. I pray for boldness for each of you as you seek the Lord and grow in grace this Summer. Amen!
Pastor Alliyah
Pastor Alliyah Greaver's Installation Service, September 12, 2021.
Pastor Alliyah's Installation Service at St. John Lutheran Church with Mission District Dean Pastor Paul Schultz presiding at the installation.
Pastor Alliyah's Installation Service at St. John Lutheran Church with Mission District Dean Pastor Paul Schultz presiding at the installation.
Pastor Alliyah Greaver's Ordination Service, August 15, 2021.
Pastor Alliyah's Ordination into the office of Pastoral Ministry took place at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Bishop Dan Selbo of the NALC presiding.
Pastor Alliyah's Ordination into the office of Pastoral Ministry took place at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Bishop Dan Selbo of the NALC presiding.