Pastor Jeff Ewing

First Lutheran Church Pastor Jeff Ewing has been awarded a Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program grant for 2025.

The grant allows pastors to enjoy a sabbatical break during which they can travel, engage in new spiritual disciplines, and spend time with family.

“Our goal is that these programs supply congregations with the means to express appreciation for their leaders and actively invest in what reenergizes their pastors for long-term ministry,” said Dr. Robert Saler, director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program.

“What makes your pastor’s heart sing?” was the primary question asked by the foundation. After considerable study by the congregation with Ewing, three main themes were identified: immersing in new cultures, experiencing breath-taking scenery and exploring diverse communities. The grant will allow Ewing to explore the themes with family and also as solo experiences. Ewing’s wife, Kari, who is a paraprofessional at Warren Area Elementary School and the Warren Area High School 21st Century Program, will accompany him during most of the sabbatical, and children Jordi (Anna) and Sydney (Tyler) will also join them for some of the travel.

“This is a true honor for Pastor Ewing and First Lutheran as only 233 grants were awarded for 2025, which was open to all Christian faiths nationwide,” said Pastor Tom Pierotti, chair of the church committee that submitted the grant application. “The Lilly Foundation funded more than $13 million to congregations this year. We are prepared to honor his time away by doing a variety of renewal activities mirroring his personal renewal journey.”

Pierotti will be serving as the congregational leader during the sabbatical, with a team of four retired pastors fulfilling pastoral duties.

Ewing has been a First Lutheran Church member since his high school days. He has served First Lutheran since the 1980s, initially as an assistant to the pastor. He was ordained in 2011 and has served the last 10 years as the senior pastor. He is an active member of the community outside of First Lutheran’s walls. He is a chaplain for Hospice of Warren County, participates on stage and behind the scenes at Struthers Library Theater, is a leader in the Warren Area Refugee Resettlement Network, coaches middle school track and field and involves the church in a variety of community services.