On January 30, 2022, Josh Bartz was ordained by the Florida Presbytery as an official Presbyterian Pastor within the ECO denomination. Josh began his journey toward ordination two years ago while he was attending seminary at Palm Beach Atlantic University in pursuit of his Master of Divinity. FPC acted as Josh’s sponsoring congregation in order to provide him with the support, funds, and resources he needed to complete his ordination. Over the past four years, Josh has also served in various ways around FPC including a two-year seminary residency program that included preaching, teaching, organizing events, and leading groups. Josh reflects that FPC has been extremely formative for him as a student, pastor, and disciple of Christ. He writes, “First Pres NPB has been the family in my corner cheering me on and supporting me all along the way. This community has proven to be a sheer gift from God as Taylor and I both leaned into the calling God placed on our lives. FPC has not only given me space to explore a life in ministry, but it has also provided the necessary guidance and instruction I needed early on.”
Today, Josh serves as a volunteer pastor at FPC primarily helping with Sunday services. In May 2021, Josh took a call to serve at a Christian school as the Campus Pastor alongside his wife, Taylor. Together, Josh and Taylor serve as the Director of Student Ministries at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach. With the help of an amazing staff and faculty, Josh and Taylor disciple over 850 middle and high school students. They also oversee all spiritual life events on campus, teach Bible classes, and offer pastoral counseling to both the student body and staff. In addition, Josh and Taylor have the privilege of leading students on their annual Senior Retreat and Mission Trip, which was to Guatemala this past year. Reflecting on his current call to ministry, Josh writes, “The opportunity to walk with so many students in such a pivotal time in their life is a huge blessing and honor. We are able to meet students where they’re at on the faith journey and both humbly and passionately offer them Christ in such different ways. I’ve also learned in my three years of marriage that there is in fact a correct answer to the question, “What is the best part of the job?”—working with my wife! In all seriousness, it has been great to work together as a team and love on our students with the love of Christ.”