Paul Anleitner
Worship Pastor
Family: Wife: Keri, and three children: Justice, Autumn, Ryder
Education: BA from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in History, MA from Bethel Seminary in Christian Thought
Experience: Prior to joining the staff at First Free, I enjoyed 15 years of vocational ministry experience in a variety of roles and denominational settings. I have had the great privilege of being over the years not only being a Worship Pastor in the Assemblies of God, Evangelical Covenant Church, and now the Evangelical Free Church, but have also taught theology and biblical studies courses in Christian high schools, directed parachurch ministries, and recorded & released original music.
Free Time: I love reading theology, exercising, and playing or watching basketball. I have some nerdy sci-fi proclivities that somehow they also occupy shared headspace in my brain with my NBA nerdery and thorough enjoyment of fantasy football. I guess you can say I have eclectic interests.
I love finding a new restaurant, whether it's a hole-in-the-wall dive or a hip, snobby foodie magnet, to enjoy a (preferably kidless!) date with my wife. Those kidless dates are nice from time to time, but I also love spending time with our children. I particularly enjoy playing sports with Justice, taking Autumn out for an ice-cream or donut, and wrestling with Ryder. Going on adventures or road trips to new places together is always a blast as children remind of the gift of curiosity and wonder that we sometimes lose as adults.