The Rev. Frank Kopania becomes the Director for Synod German Ministries

In February, 2010, Bishop Benoway invited the Rev. Frank Kopania to serve as the Director for German Ministries within the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Previously, Pastor Wally Meyer of Christ Our Redeemer, Temple Terrace, served for three years as the Interim-Director for German Ministries.  Pastor Kopania is responsible for the coordination and support of German Ministries throughout the synod and reports directly to Bishop Benoway and Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Paul Lutze. 

German Ministries, which include regularly scheduled worship services in the German language, are now in Orlando, Ocala, Temple Terrace, Sun City Center, Naples/Ft. Myers and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.  At least once a month in the winter (September - May), services in German are held at each host church with a variety of additional local activities that may include youth groups, Bible studies and book clubs.  Pastor Kopania also supports the Synod in all matters that relate to German-speaking pastors and congregations, and provides for the ongoing communication between the Florida-Bahamas Synod and the Evangelical Church in Germany.  Working with Pastor Lutze and the Assistant to the Bishop for Administration, Ken Aicher, Pastor Kopania is responsible for the synod's German ministries budget.  Pastor Kopania has developed close ties to the German Consulate General in Miami and serves the consulate to provide spiritual care in special situations or emergencies when German-speaking pastoral care is needed.

Pasor Kopania was called in August of 2008 to serve as Associate Pastor for bilingual ministry (English and German) at S.t Mark's Lutheran Church, Coral Gables.  Pastor Arnie Perry seres as the senior pastor at St. Mark's. 

At the September 20-22, 2010 Conference on Ministry in Leesburg, Pastor Kopania invited all the German-speaking pastors of the synod to a special meeting to discuss and share hopes for German Ministry in this synod.
Contact Pastor Kopania