Meet Seth
Oak Grove anticipates the arrival of Seth Miller and family in late August 2024 to become our pastor. The Millers hail from Henderson, Nebraska, where Seth served on the pastoral team at Bethesda Mennonite Church.
Originally from Sarasota, Florida, Seth attended Sarasota Christian School. He then graduated in 2007 from Eastern Mennonite University with a Bachelor of Science in History and Secondary Education. Although studying history, Seth had always “sensed a call to serve the church.” That awareness led him to participate in the Ministry Inquiry Program while at EMU.
After college, Seth taught social studies at Lancaster Mennonite School until 2010. He then worked briefly in other areas of education before answering his call to serve the church. Seth returned to Harrisonburg, where in 2014 he earned a Masters of Divinity with a focus on Pastoral Ministries at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Seth has since served as full-time Pastor for Preaching and Congregational Life at Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, Nebraska. He has become known for his collaborative leadership, his excellent speaking and listening skills, as well as his sharp focus on mission. Plus, as one of his colleagues added, “The guy has a really big heart.”
Seth is married to Kristie (Souder) Miller from Souderton, Pennsylvania. They have three daughters; Abigail (9), Susanna (7), and Rebecca (5).
The Pastoral Search Committee has unanimously recommended Seth for the position of lead pastor at Oak Grove. That endorsement is founded on Seth’s strong educational background, his experience in ministry, his communication and leadership skills, and most of all, his commitment to following Jesus Christ from an Anabaptist perspective. The Church Board has unanimously approved the Search Committee’s recommendation and has formally invited Seth as a pastoral candidate.
Pastor's Blog
A Word From Sethby Seth Miller on 2024-03-10
I initially was drawn to Oak Grove precisely because you seemingly have found a way to thrive with a dual conference affiliation. I think that, broadly speaking, we in the Mennonite Church have struggled to lift our eyes toward the eschatological horizon. What I mean is, we tend to focus on seemingly “all-important” and “all-consuming” squabbles and fail to look up and into the Kingdom future that has already broken in upon us - to take in the big picture and to reframe our disagreements in light of that Kingdom. This has led to congregations and communities tearing themselves apart.
Instead, I heard folks on the Search Committee and Board talk about their love for one another and the high value that is placed on the unity of the Body. Also, a deep level of commitment and personal investment in participation in the congregation is obvious. And it is in that participation and commitment to unity and love in the Body of Christ that we experience, by God’s grace, the reconciling purposes of God. This is a remarkable gift that seems rare these days.
Another theme which is apparent in the congregation is the value of service. God’s reconciling work is not just for us but for the whole of creation. Your commitments to MDS, MCC, Open Arms, and Manna for Many (to name only a few) provide a picture of the scope of your vision for the sort of future God has in mind. And lastly, I have experienced folks from Oak Grove to be warm, kind, generous, and thoughtful. To this point in the process, our family has felt welcomed and cared for - something for which we are so grateful.