| When our new pastor, Brian Snyder, decided to be a missionary in the African nation of Cameroon, he wasn’t looking to develop his spirituality, he was seeking adventure. Unable to find a teaching job after graduating with an English degree from Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, he took a position as a library clerk. Because of the limited opportunities in Oklahoma, Brian sought advice from his pastor who suggested that Brian could use his education and skills in an overseas location and indicated that there was a need in Cameroon.
Following the minister’s advice, Brian decided to go to the African nation where he could use his fluent French to teach English at a church related high school of 900 students where he also acted as administrator.
And then they asked him to preach.
The preaching of God’s word as well as teaching a discipleship class for new believers helped Brian to realize that he loved pastoral duties.
After five years in Africa, his path took a few detours before he entered Seminary in 2002. He served as director of “Reader’s Service,” a PCUSA mission agency located in Stony Point, New York, and then worked for World Mission Initiative here in Pittsburgh. While in seminary Brian provided Pulpit Supply and won various preaching awards including Pittsburgh Seminary's "McConkey Award in Homiletics."
Brian graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 2005 and was ordained as a PCUSA Minister of Word and Sacrament in March of 2007. He was called to serve as solo pastor for The Presbyterian Church of Kane in Kane, PA a small town in the northern central part of the state.
He is currently working towards his Doctor of Ministry at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School which he will finish in 2012. His doctoral dissertation is on "Sources of Authority for the Postmodern Pulpit."
Brian isn’t all work and no play. He is interested in Benedictine spirituality, especially the writings of Sister Joan Chittester, a well-known nun and activist in Erie, PA. To paraphrase one of her philosophies: The key to the spiritual life is balance.Each day should include a little bit of work, a little bit of rest, a little bit of play and a little bit of prayer.
For Brian, the play component means hiking. He finds that a two to three hour hike each Sunday gives him the strength to do everything else in his life. His passion for the sport is so great that he maintains a blog about hiking in the Allegheny National Forest.
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