The Summit Leadership

Peter Couser - Director of Summit Ministries

Peter grew up in the Chicago suburbs watching the Cubs and aspiring a career in sports broadcasting. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1995 with a degree in Radio-TV-Film, but within a couple of years he was led by God into full-time ministry. Peter joined the staff of St. Paul Lutheran Church in 1997 where he started a ministry to college students. In 2003 he became the Director of Adult Ministries at St. Paul, and he has also served as interim Director of Worship. Currently he is enrolled in the Specific Ministry Program (SMP) through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Peter is married to Amy, a college professor, and they have three sons. He has a deep love for people and seeing them grow in their relationship with Jesus. He is amazed at how much God has blessed him through his marriage, his family, his St. Paul/Summit family, and through the ministry that God has entrusted to him here.

Favorite sports teams: Chicago Cubs, Da Bears, TCU Horned Frogs
What are you listening to now: David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, random 80's music, and the Veggie Tales (thanks to my son, honest!)
Favorite movies: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, all the Star Wars movies, Field of Dreams, Fletch
Favorite TV shows: Lost, 24, The Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, and old reruns of WKRP in Cincinnati
Favorite restaurants: Giordano's (Chicago Deep Dish Pizza), Chick-Fil-A, Saltgrass, Purple Cow (Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Shakes), Bueno!
What you're reading now: It’s Your Ship (Captain D. Michael Abrashoff), Experiencing God Day-by-Day (Henry Blackaby), Relevant and Outreach Magazine

Rev. John Messmann - Senior Pastor - St. Paul Lutheran Church

Pastor John Messmann was born in Indiana and raised on a farm there. Married 26 years to Sharon, who is an educational consultant with Lutheran Special Education Ministries. Daughter, Jennie is a teacher. Son Stephen is an Aggie. Son Paul is elementary age. Pastor for 23 years—13 at St. Paul in Ft. Worth.

What are you listening to now: Gordon Lightfoot
Favorite movies: Jesus of Nazareth, and Star Wars
Favorite restaurant: Joe T What you're reading now: Clive Cussler
Favorite TV shows: MASH reruns, and any good nerdy documentary, especially about World War 2
Favorite sports teams: Whatever Little League team my son is currently playing on.

Troy was raised Lutheran in Ohio, the oldest of three children born to Ray and Sandi (also St. Paul members). He attended Ohio State University and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Troy and his college sweetheart Darci were married in 1984. They moved to Fort Worth in 1985 when Troy accepted a job at the then General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin, where he still works. Troy and Darci adopted twice through Lutheran Social Services: Heather in 1994 and Brent in 1997. Their first exposure to St. Paul came via the LSS adoption program when St. Paul hosted a LSS office.

Troy and Darci lived in west Ft. Worth 20 years before moving to Aledo. They joined St. Paul via the Summit after moving to Aledo. Troy has served in several positions at prior Lutheran churches: youth group assistant, trustee, treasurer, and elder. He especially enjoys blessing the children who come forward during Holy Communion.

Currently reading: "Bringing Up Boys" by James Dobson
Favorite restaurant: Rubino's Pizzeria, Bexley, Ohio. Mom and dad dated there. Darci and I dated there (her liking it was a must to join the family).
Favorite movies: Field of Dreams - baseball and playing catch with dad. Brings wonderful youth memories to mind.
Hobbies: Soccer, coaching Heather's soccer team, softball, hunting with Brent
Favorite sports team: Ohio State football, whoever Michigan and the Cowboys are playing each week
Dog's name: Buckeye

Gregg Schroeder - Elder

Gregg joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in 1996. He helped start the Fellowship Service in 1997 and sings on the praise team. Gregg was on The Summit launch team. He has enjoyed learning about multi-site churches and the opportunities this church model opens up for deploying the gospel to neighborhoods.

Gregg has participated several times in the Guatemala mission trip sponsored by St. Paul. He values the relationships that have been built over the years with the people in the village of Santiago Zamora. He also enjoys helping first time participants of this mission trip acclimate to their new surroundings.

Gregg is a software engineer with a Computer Science degree from Central Missouri State University.