Pastor Brad Olson

Name: Pastor Brad Olson

Position: Lead Pastor

Held Since: July 2009

Responsibilities: If anything goes well it is my job to give God the glory. If anything goes wrong, it is my job to take the blame, even if it isn't my fault.

Personal History: Who am I? I would like to be thought of as a person who loves the Lord. I work hard to be thoughtful and focused in helping people become better disciples of Jesus Christ. I grew up in Ithaca, a gorgeous little town in the finger lakes region of Upstate New York. I accepted Christ into my life in high school. I knew that I enjoyed the sciences, and thought the best way to serve God would be as a doctor. In college, I worked in a hospital as a nursing assistant during breaks. I found that it was the spiritual connections that I made with patients that I appreciated most.

Why am I a pastor? I believe that the church, despite all her faults, is still the best place to find God. So, I went to seminary and finished up at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, because it had a reputation for excellence in practical ministry. That's the short story of how I got to this area.

How did I get to Xenia? My first full-time appointments were to the Oldtown and Union UMCs, just north and south of town. While there I met my wife, Dawn, who is now a Human Resources Director for Cornerstone Research, and a native of this community. She was taking tickets at the Greene County fair, and I was looking for things to do. Together we have raised Christopher, who is finishing up a degree at OSU; Derek, who is married to Sarah, and is finishing up a degree at UC; and Elizabeth who is working in Louisville for the School of Metaphysics. I have also served at the Ohmer Park UMC, an urban congregation in East Dayton; as the associate at Milford First UMC, a suburban congregation Northeast of Cincinnati, and Monroe, right along the interstate, half way between Dayton and Cincinnati. Being back in Xenia has felt very much like life has come full circle and we are back home. In my free time, you may see me lifting weights (I have been a competitive Powerlifter), working on my coin collection, or tinkering on some project around the house. If you are ever driving by 1 Temple Ave, please feel free to wave. I have admired and respected Faith Community UMC for a long time. I am excited to be a part of the next great things that God will do through us together.

You may email Pastor Brad at LeadingPastor@fcum.org