Hanover Lutheran Church receives a New Senior Pastor

Pastor Tony Kobak and his family, Lisa, Victoria and Anthony

Hanover Lutheran Church, known for its incredible bi-annual sausage supper is getting ready to celebrate something entirely different. They will be installing a new pastor on this July 4th weekend. Their new pastor, Rev. Tony Kobak is hailing from Fort Worth, Texas.

Life in the ministry does not always begin as one would expect. Tony started his first career after graduating from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics as a Jet mechanic. He was hired upon achievement of his Federal Airframe and Powerplant License with Delta Airlines. He worked for Delta for 15 years. While he was employed with Delta for 15 years, he entered Embry Riddle Aeronautical University graduating in 2005 Valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude, earning his Bachelors of Science in Professional Aeronautics. Tony was promoted to supervisor as a Lead Aircraft Technician in Dallas and Tampa with a promising career ahead of him in the aviation field.

However, God had very different plans for him. After becoming a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hurst, Texas, he and his wife became active youth counselors. Tony had sung in the Chancel choir for 12 years with his wife Lisa. In 2003 Tony was asked to be the chaplain of the choir. He started out by reading "canned" devotions and slowly started writing his own. Throughout this process, he also led many different bible studies. People suggested to him that he should go into the ministry. Tony discussed this with Lisa always coming to the conclusion... "Why would God want some greasy jet mechanic to go into the ministry. I have never met a jet mechanic who was a reverend, so I don't think God would want someone like me.

Two weeks after this comment, Tony was sitting at a pot luck across from a 70 year old Reverend, who had just retired. After hearing Tony's a lengthy life story the Rev. across the table said "That is interesting... I was an aircraft mechanic 30 years ago, before I went into the ministry.... You can guess the rest.

Tony enrolled at Concordia, St. Louis in August of 2005. He carried along with him Lisa, his wife of 15 years, Victoria and Anthony his two children. Tony served his vicarage at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He developed a strong fervor for preaching while serving as a field worker at St. Paul, Des Peres under Rev. Dr. David Smith.

Tony graduated from Concordia Seminary in May 2009 and has accepted his first call to serve as Sr. Pastor of Hanover Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, MO.

Tony loves to share the gospel through his actions and sometimes even words when necessary. His faith shines in everything he does as you can see God working through him to reach the lost. His love for all God's people is shown not just in his preaching but also in working with all people of all ages and races. Tony's skills are not limited to working on jet aircraft and engines he also reads and speaks Spanish, Biblical Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

Tony is excited and anxiously waiting to begin serving the area this July.

The entire Cape Girardeau community is welcome to attend this joyous celebration of his installation on July 5th at 4pm, with a welcome reception to follow.