Facilitating growth through words.

A little bit about me...

I'm a listener, learner, and leader who is passionate about facilitating growth through the power of words. I am a husband, father, pastor, aging athlete, wannabe musician, and aspiring fisherman. Let me help you grow the life and leadership you’ve always known was possible.

  • “Austin is a pastor and friend, whose insight I trust, both personally and for how he sees the local church. He has a humble and reflective spirit, as he looks to his own growth and the type of impact he hopes to make in the world.”

    Mark Swanson - Growing Hope Globally

  • “Austin is an excellent communicator and pastor that possesses a profound ability to connect to his congregation with clarity. As a leader, he cast vision and inspires others in their gifting.”

    Kelly Morrow

  • "Having worked with Austin when he was a college intern, to youth pastor and now lead pastor, I've seen him grow as a leader and God's anointing on him throughout the process. He's able to communicate the Gospel to all ages in an engaging manner."

    Aaron Glendening - FCA

  • "Through intentional hermeneutical preparation, Austin Penn has the gifted ability to bring God’s redemptive story, teachings, and mysteries found in the Holy Scriptures alive to whatever audience he encounters. Truly, the proclamation of The Word is laced with grace and truth, a loving approach our students cherish when Pastor Austin comes and shares with our student body. "

    Dr. Jacob Kaufman - Elyria Christian

  • "Austin is a fun loving, deep thinking, clear communicating pastor. To know Austin is to know someone who truly loves Jesus and deeply desires for all to know the depths of Gods love."

    Jill Craig - Wakefield Covenant

  • "Austin possesses a rare gift of insight that goes beyond mere observation. He delves deep, seeing beyond the surface of what is being said into the heart of what is being communicated. He listens with a genuine intent to understand, making you feel heard and valued. Kindness exudes from every interaction with Austin, fostering an environment of trust and openness. His intelligence and thoughtfulness shine through in every conversation, inspiring self-awareness and encouraging thoughtful reflection. Austin is not just someone you talk to, he is a companion on the journey of life. His insights go beyond the informative and into the transformative."

    Anthony Clerkin - Hope Covenant

  • "Austin is thoughtful, intentional and wise in all of his interactions and in his leadership. His approach to ministry and people is one I’ve admired for a long time."

    Stephanie Nelson - Covenant Church of Thomaston

  • "I have always been impressed with Austin’s ability to use the right words to convey his message. His communication style has helped me to understand his position and thoughts which aid in taking a conversation to the next level. "

    Jerry Rogers - ERC Hospitality

  • "From middle school into my own career in ministry, Austin has had a profound impact on my spiritual and emotional life. He has been a mentor, friend, and someone I can depend on in times of need. God has used Austin’s gifts to enrich my life and my walk with Jesus. For that I am deeply grateful. "

    Abe Walker - Marin Covenant

Recent Blogs
Prioritizing Posture Instead of Performance
Prioritizing Posture Instead of Performance

Unfortunately, this problem persists today; there are people who will dress like, talk like, and even act like a Christian in public. They know how to go to church, how to say the right things, and how to leverage their religion to gain power and popularity. - This is not the way of Jesus.

Read More →
The Direction of Rightness
The Direction of Rightness

Simon was overly concerned with being right, and it was this desire that distanced him from Jesus (aka God) and from this woman (aka his neighbor). This is the profound lesson and the painful evaluation for those who claim to follow Jesus: Does your desire to be right, or perceived rightness, draw you towards people or distance you from them?

Read More →
From Division to Harmony
From Division to Harmony

Maybe you are like me: you want to see the divisiveness and volatility decrease in our country, you want to see churches grow again, and you want to see families whole again. Then it starts with me and you, to truly follow the Jesus way by putting on love and trusting that it can heal, restore, and hold everything together in time.

Read More →
Our Lost Reputation
Our Lost Reputation

In the days of the early church, people were accused of being “Christian”. It was a derogatory term toward someone who was acting so lovingly that it made no logical sense. It was a term given to people who did not seek power and control, but powerlessness and humility. It was given to people who not only loved those who were easy to love, but who were different and difficult to love. It was their loving actions that made it very clear to others that they followed Christ and not their culture.

Read More →