Hanover Lutheran Church: Our Vicar

2007 - 2008

Vicar Anthony Kobak
Induction at Hanover on August 2007

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Greetings,

My name is Anthony (Tony) Kobak. I am currently serving as the Vicar at Hanover Lutheran Church . I was born and raised in Medina , Ohio . Upon completion of High School I moved to Pittsburgh PA. to attend the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. I received an Associates Degree in Applied Aerospace. I also earned my Federal Airframe and Powerplant license.

I was hired by Delta Airlines and worked in the aviation field for 15 years serving in multiple areas most specifically Aircraft Maintenance. For the last five years I served as the Lead Technician, supervising a crew of over 150 Technicians and tech support staff. My crew was directly responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of over 560 aircraft on any given day, located over the entire planet.

While I was at Delta I became a member of Peace Lutheran Church , Hurst , Texas . My membership was budded when I was invited by a woman, named Lisa Weber, (who later became my wife!) to attend. Upon our marriage the two of us became involved in many various aspects of service. We volunteered as Sr. High councilors, became members of the adult choir, and traveled on several church mission trips to Acuna Mexico , Del Rio , Texas , and numerous locations in the jungles of Honduras .

I have been married now for 15 years to my wife Lisa, we have two children Victoria and Anthony, ages 7 and 9. Our interests in life are very broad. We enjoy walking the narrow path and living life as an adventure. My family and I enjoy traveling around the world, hiking, hunting, fishing, Scuba diving, soccer, football, golf, racquetball, swimming, and all sorts of outdoor activities.

Seven years ago I spoke to my wife about a change in lifestyle/careers. I told her I felt the Lord moving me to a direction in ministry. I looked into the seminary but never made the final move. Upon the summer of 2005 I actually went to the seminary in St. Louis to find out all of the requirements. I was then informed I had to have a Bachelors degree by March of 2006 to enroll. I still lacked 45 credit hours out of 180 at Embry Riddle University , where I had been attending since 1999 working on my BS in Professional Aerospace. Over the next 6 months, only through the grace of God I completed my Bachelors by taking a CLEP test each week for a different class. January rolled around and I was notified that I had to physically take one more class (speech) for my degree. No CLEP was allowed. Embry Riddle only offered this class for that winter semester in one location. Tampa , Florida . The crazy part is I was currently living and working in Dallas , Texas . I changed my schedule with Delta Airlines and commuted to Tampa each week for a day and back in order to complete my degree in time for the March Deadline for enrollment to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis .

I received my BS. in Professional Aeronautics graduating Magna Cum Laude and first in my class, April 2005. I have attended Concordia Seminary, St Louis and I am in my third year, working on my Masters of Divinity.

Jesus calls us to be servants in His name. We serve others by our caring actions and caring words. Years ago I created my own personal mission statement. I hope to direct myself and my future ministry from Ephesians 6:7 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."