The Our Staff page helps put faces with names and introduces the people God has called to serve Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. While Christ alone is the Head of the Church, He works through people, the called, gifted, and sent, to care for His flock and serve His mission.
Pastor Justin Pahl
Shepherd of the Flock
Pastor Justin serves as the shepherd of the flock at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, chiefly entrusted with Word and Sacrament ministry. In this calling, he understands his pastoral office first and foremost as that of God’s “Absolution Man," sent to forgive sins in the stead and by the command of Christ, and to faithfully deliver the Gospel through preaching, teaching, and administering the sacraments.
At the same time, Pastor Justin does not carry out this work alone. The congregation itself is the called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified people of God, sinners whom Christ has made saints and secured for eternity in His peace. From this gathered royal priesthood, Christ sends His people back into their homes, workplaces, and community as His ambassadors, bearing His light and love into the world.
Pastor Justin began serving Holy Trinity in May 2021 as an interim pastor, with the goal of helping prepare the congregation for its next full-time called pastor. When circumstances led to a longer season of ministry, and through the guiding work of the Holy Spirit, he was installed in September 2023 into a permanent worker-priest (part-time) pastoral role.
He is a graduate of Concordia Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity, and was ordained in 2014. Over the years, Pastor Justin has served congregations throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, often during times of transition and vacancy, while also working professionally in the aviation training industry, including instructing, evaluating, designing, and leading pilot training programs.
Before entering the pastoral ministry, Pastor Justin’s life revolved around aviation. He began flying at age 15, earned his private pilot’s license at 17, and pursued an aviation career that included service with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (Civil Air Patrol) in numerous leadership and search and rescue roles as well as an airline pilot and business aviation pilot. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Though initially feeling a redirection towards in ministry before his airline pilot stint, the answer was "not now" after much discernment. Then, through a series of unexpected medical groundings, God redirected his path. What first felt like a “not now” eventually became a clear call into pastoral ministry.
Pastor Justin is married to Jennifer Pahl (Zarth), whom he married in July 2006. They have two children: Julia Grace and Jacob Ryan. As a family, they enjoy life together in Florida, especially their shared love of ice hockey, both playing and coaching in local leagues. Their faith in Christ has sustained them through seasons of uncertainty and change, and they are grateful for the Christian education their children have received.
As both a pastor and lifelong teacher, Pastor Justin’s ministry is intentionally practical. His focus is not an ivory-tower faith, but a lived faith, helping people see how Christ’s forgiveness and promises shape everyday life. He has a particular passion for discipleship, catechesis, Christ-centered preaching, and pastoral care. Above all, he strives to serve as a Seelsorger, a carer of souls, seeking to lead with humility as a servant of Christ for the good of His people.
Contact Pastor Justin
Email: pastor.pahl@gmail.com
Church Phone: (813) 949-7173
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