Pastor Alex Zuber has served as our associate pastor since July 2019. A graduate of James Madison University and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary), he previously served a congregation in Luray, VA. He lives in Fishersville with his spouse, Renna, their infant daughter, and two dogs and one cat.

Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Harrisonburg?

I grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and JMU first brought me to Harrisonburg for college.  Between my cherished years at my alma mater, finding a welcoming church home at Muhlenberg as a student in Lutheran Campus Ministry, and meeting the love of my life during those years, while I left for seminary in 2014, Harrisonburg always retained a feeling of "home" for me.  So when I was called here to serve as pastor in 2019, it really felt like coming home for me and my family!

How does your faith happen in your daily life?

I like to say that I have an extroverted spirituality, so my faith is renewed and energized by the people of God. I love worshipping in community, serving together, and growing closer to God with good people because it's always been others who point me to God's grace all around me.  I certainly see God face-to-face when I'm engaging with others and hearing how the Holy Spirit is active in their life.

How did you become a pastor?

I first felt a nudge to ministry as a youth, hearing words of affirmation from pastors and elders in my congregation, but I ran as far as I could from their encouragement!  There was no way I was going to be a pastor, but in my good moments of clarity and self-reflection, I found myself entertaining the idea.  And the question remained with me in my worst moments of doubt and struggle, when I'd find myself asking, "How could you ever think you'd be a good pastor?" Finally in college, when I realized that I wanted to be in a helping profession but med school wasn't where I was called to be, I opened my heart to uncertainty and listened.  I heard a voice of hope, with absolute certainty, cry out from deep within me, "You're going to seminary and you're going to be a pastor."  I'd never felt so sure of anything in my life, and I've been following that voice of hope ever since!

What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I'm an only child!  Personally, I don't think that's the most fun fact about me, but whenever I tell folks that it always seems to be met with surprise!

What’s the most inspiring part of your job?

I am inspired by the people I serve and the trust they put in me as I'm asked to show up in their most vulnerable moments and stand with them on truly holy ground. I'm inspired to never lose sight of how precious and fragile that trust can be, and I strive to honor that in all I do!

Ask me about:

Star Wars, marching band, and other nerdy things!  I'm a big nerd, and I love to dive deep into great stories, great music, and how they shine a light on important truths in the world around us.

My favorite word in the English language is:

“Floccinaucinihilipilification”

If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve:

Good food and good people!  It can't be a holiday without that!

If we held a talent show, I’d wow everyone with:

My cooking talent.