The Rev. John G. Bateson has been pastor of Good Shepherd since January 1, 2003. Pastor Bateson comes from Zanesville, Ohio, where he was a member of St. Luke’s American Lutheran Church before moving to Columbus to continue his education. A life long Lutheran, he is a graduate of Capital University, Columbus Ohio with a degree in music, and earned his Master of Divinity Degree from what is now Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Originally he intended to be a teacher, first in music, he then earned additional teacher certifications in industrial arts and history/social studies at The Ohio State University.

    Pastor John was ordained into the ministry of word and sacrament on Feb 12, 1995 and has served Trinity Lutheran, Bridgeport Ohio, Stewart Avenue Lutheran in Carrick, Zion Evangelical Lutheran of Mt Washington as well as his current call here at Good Shepherd Lutheran of McKees Rocks.

    For the last seven plus years he has been married to Karen L Bateson (nee Coogle) whom he met while serving at Zion – Mt. Washington. He has two children: Rebecca Lynell of Columbus Ohio, and Benjamin David, currently living in Eastern Tennessee.

    His personal interests are music and history, particularly Church history. His professional interests are in worship, music, and personal ministry. He is an active member of the Sto-Rox Ministerium and the unique ecumenical setting of the McKees Rocks-West Park neighborhood. Pastor Bateson also participates in study groups and events sponsored by our local Lutheran conference and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. He has also served as a volunteer night chaplain at Allegheny General Hospital.