Rev. Anthony (Tony) Masinelli is the senior Pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. He is a 2004 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he received academic awards for highest GPA and for homiletics (preaching), and he served as a tutor for both Greek and Hebrew, as well as Hermeneutics (principles of Biblical interpretation) for both the Masters and Doctoral programs.  He also served as a quest instructor for two sessions of Bioethics and Faith courses. While at seminary, Pastor Tony was elected to the Student senate, was executive editor  of the seminary newspaper, and worked as the lead writer for the seminary Public Relations Department.  As the lead writer, Pastor Tony received two awards for excellence in historical writing from the Concordia Historical Institute- a first for any seminary writer or publication.

As Senior Pastor of his former Church, Messiah Lutheran in Naples, Pastor Tony led the congregation out of decline and through a period of transition and growth.  Worship attendance increased sixfold and now Messiah has the most innovative and fastest-growing Hispanic Ministry in southwest Florida. Pastor Tony is new to Gloria Dei as of December 2010. We look forward to a bright future with him as our leader.

Pastor Tony with his wife - Cheryl