Nomination Announcement

The Presbytery Leader Nominating Committee (PLNC) has announced they are ready to nominate, The Reverand Ryan Landino, to become the next Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Leader. It is with excitement and joy that we welcome you to a time of informal introduction and questioning the evening before our Presbytery Gathering. This will be held virtually, through Zoom.

Informal Meet & Greet

Friday, November 5

6 pm to 7 pm

Zoom Link Here

This informal introduction by the PLNC of Rev. Landino, will give you a chance to questions prior to the Saturday, November 6 Presbytery Gathering, where he will be nominated to become our next Presbytery Leader. We welcome all to join us!

Please Note: Rev. Landino's Statement of Faith will be included in the binder for the Gathering and there will be a chance to ask additional questions at the time of the motion to nominate him for presbytery leader by the PLNC. If you have theological questions, please reserve them for the day of the Presbytery Gathering.

The Reverend Ryan J. Landino, is currently serving as the Lead Presbyter for Transformation of Great Rivers Presbytery in western and central Illinois, where he previously served as pastor and presbytery moderator. He earned a Dual Degree as Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary after an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania (where he met his spouse and life co-conspirator). After growing up in a large church setting, he has served nearly a decade in small church settings, a majority of that time with immigrant congregations in New Jersey: as Director of English Ministry of a Taiwanese-American church and then as ordained pastor to a Slovak ethnic congregation.

“It is truly an honor to be presented as your candidate for Presbytery Leader of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy! Getting to know each member of your Presbytery Leader Nominating Committee has been such a gift, which I receive as a sampling of your faithfulness and giftedness as a presbytery. I hear in your witness a deep love for the community, and a yearning for a unifying movement towards what you can achieve together. I am excited by the challenge, and opportunity, provided by the many blessed kinds of diversity that make up your community. I appreciate the collaborative approach of your diligent staff, your clear commitment to embody the love of Jesus Christ, and your deep desire for justice. It would be an honor to serve in partnership with you and the many gifted saints of Giddings-Lovejoy!

Formal nomination with vote will take place at the

Presbytery Gathering

Saturday, November 6

Ryan served as a commissioner to the 221st General Assembly in Detroit, and enjoyed the hospitality of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery as commissioner to the 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis where he served as vice moderator of the Bills and Overtures Committee. He is currently a member of the PC(USA) Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation, on which he has been invited to speak about often as guest speaker to other presbyteries concerning racism in the PC(USA). He also manages the blog site “Sixty Second Preacher: Thoughts on Ministry, White Privilege, and Sixty Second Sermon videos” (sixtysecondpreacher.wordpress.com) and the Facebook page “Pastor Ryan’s Sixty Second Sermons”, a model of short videos that tend to use editing, staging, and humor for creative explications of the life of faith. He loves preaching, film, discovering new restaurants, reading, and going to the gym. A Pennsylvania native with his spouse Danielle, they reside in northwestern Illinois with their dog, Cookie, and all three would be happy to make St. Louis their new home.

Why is Rev. Landino a good fit for our presbytery?

Hear from the Presbytery Leader Nominating Committee

"I think Ryan Landino will make an excellent Presbyter Leader due to his knowledge of presbytery polity, organizational skills, and warm personality."

Lawson Calhoun, Ruling Elder

PLNC Moderator

Westminster Presbyterian Church

St. Louis, Missouri

“Ryan’s energy, creativity, and passion for the future of the church convinced me that he is the one to serve with us.”

Harriet Hall, Ruling Elder

Webster Groves Presbyterian Church

Webster Groves, Missouri

"Throughout the process of getting to know Ryan, It became clear that he would be a great Presbytery Leader. His passions align perfectly with ours. I believe that Ryan's previous calls have prepared him for this position. He will challenge us and support us through our social justice initiatives and our mission outreach. He will be a Presbytery Leader for all of our churches."

Daniel Mortimer, Ruling Elder

Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church

St. Louis, Missouri

“Looking forward to the innovative energy and enthusiasm that Ryan will bring to our presbytery.”

Rev. Rob Dyer, Senior Pastor

First United Presbyterian Church

Belleville, Illinois

"I believe Ryan will be a good leader for our Presbytery because he knows who is really in charge and he takes his issues to the Lord. His personal commitment to growth with diversity and racism will be valuable. I also feel that his ability to “hear” everyone’s voice and the unique way he builds relationships will serve us well."

Ramona Williams, Ruling Elder

Third Presbyterian Church

Moline Acres, Missouri

“Ryan’s energy, creativity, and passion for the future of the church convinced me that he is the one to serve with us.”

Barbara Bowyer, Ruling Elder

Second Presbyterian Church

St. Louis, Missouri

“I am impressed with Ryan’s long-term commitment to white privilege and anti-racism training, as well as the depth and breadth of his ministry from a small church to Presbytery to General Assembly. I am excited to experience his model of partnership and imagination in support of the present and future church.”

Rev. Ellen Gurnon, Pastor

First and Westminster Presbyterian Churches

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Don't forget to join us Friday, November 5