“Pastor John” Hillmer came to Grace Lutheran Church in September of 2000. He is a 4th generation Lutheran Pastor. His grandfather, Dr. Carl Doermann served as Pastor/Missionary in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, the Tamil-Nadu region of south India from 1920 – 1949. John’s father led congregations in WI, MN, and IN. John has led congregations in Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Dallas and Tampa. Throughout his career and education, John has traveled to Papua New Guinea, Kashmir, India, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Greece, Israel and the former Yugoslavia. John is married (35+ yrs) to Janice– an artist and elementary art education teacher at Berkeley Prep. They have 3 grown children: Olivia, Ansel and Lukas. John’s interests are: Music (singing, playing piano & organ) golf, physical fitness, and cooking.

Sr. Pastor – Grace Lutheran Church at Carrollwood, FL

B.A. – Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, IN
M.Div. – Christ Seminary Seminex, St. Louis, MO
S.T.M. – Christ Seminary Seminex, St. Louis, MO

Some favorite quotes:
“Music will woo them, but the Word will win them.” Paul Manz Organist, composer – John’s college organ teacher

“Everyone prays to God in their own language, and there is no language that God does not understand.”
Duke Ellington

“There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out all fear.” 1 John 4:18

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