Vicar Ryan Curtis
Ryan Curtis was born and raised in Michigan where he attended Hartland public schools until he graduated. It was there that he was exposed to Music, Mathematics, and Tennis that he grew passionate about. He grew up in a local Lutheran church called Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Brighton, Michigan. Being raised in an environment that taught him God’s love, grace, and peace was formative in his years and helpful on his journey to become a pastor.
Growing up, Ryan got to take care of his Dad through a decline on account of muscular dystrophy. During this time, the church was integral in caring for and loving on his family and showed them God’s love during an extremely trying time. Ryan still lists his Dad as one of his heroes on account of his outstanding faith and attitude during a trial that would break anyone.
Ryan also attended Awana with his Grandfather as a child and credits a portion of his pastoral attitude to that formative time in his life. The experience not only shone light into Ryan’s spiritual life as a child, but also showed him what a great man his grandfather was as an example of what it looks like to serve others. Ryan lists his Grandfather as one of his heroes on account of his outstanding faith and desire to serve everyone around him.
Ryan was cared for by and cared for his mother during all times of that trial and he still credits her as one of the strongest influences of his life and his path toward being a pastor. His mother is someone who shows the perseverance and patience of God’s love and shows him what God’s love toward his people looks like. Ryan lists his Mom as one of his heroes on account of her outstanding faith, perseverance through trials, exemplary resolve, and example of Christ’s love toward us.
Ryan did not make the official decision to become a pastor until midway through his undergraduate studies at Concordia Ann Arbor where he was recommended by professors and his own pastor to pursue the office. Since then he has been the recipient of Awards for Hebrew and Theological study, has been a tennis coach, and a choir member until he graduated undergrad in 2020. Ryan then moved out to St. Louis to study at the seminary where he studied the theology and mindset needed for pastoral work. He was also allowed to study the actions of serving on the Sunday morning as well as home visits and early bible studies at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt. Now he studies the actual actions of pastoral work on Vicarage here at Hanover Lutheran church where he prepares for ministry.