Our Staff

Rev. Dr. Eric L. Bodenstab was ordained as a pastor in the ELCA in 2003 and has served congregations in Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio. He accepted the call to Trinity in 2022.

Pastor Eric received a BA from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, an MDiv from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, and a PhD from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

You can check his blog at TheoThru.net.

As a St. Louis native, Eric enjoys good baseball and roots for the baseball Cardinals. He is married to Deacon Erin T. Bodenstab, and their daughter keeps them both quite busy. When he has time, PE loves to play board games. Feel free to schedule a “meeting” if you want to see them.

Click here to schedule a meeting with Pastor Eric, and not just for board games.

Email Pastor Eric at: pastor@trinitylutherankent.org

Rev. George W. Gaiser has lived in five states and Canada, but mostly in Ohio. He is son of a Lutheran Pastor, brother of another, and is married to artist Judith E. Gaiser nee' Eilmann. They have two daughters, Evelyn and Jennifer (Charles Korecki) and a granddaughter, Anna.

George graduated from Michigan State University (1956) with a BS, in Physical Sci. Divisional, served in the U.S. Army, and graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1963.

He served in two campus ministry positions and one interim position before coming to Trinity. He has been an instructor at both MSU and KSU, is past president of Ohio Lutheran Campus Ministry and serves today on the Ecumenical Committee of the North East Ohio Synod. He is also the Administrator for the Akron Symphony Orchestra Chorus in which he sings tenor.

Although mostly retired from a rich career with the Lutheran Church, George helps by preaching, presiding, and attending to the congregation as needed. 

Jenn grew up in Northeast Ohio and is married to Eric Hedge, a medic with the hospital, with whom she has a son, Lincoln. Jenn has been in youth ministry for over 20 years and enjoys her position as Faith Formation Coordinator here at Trinity.  As FFC she oversees youth, campus, family, and christian ed ministries with a focus on inter-generational experiences. She began her career at Trinity in February of 2017.  While her position has changed since staring, she really enjoys the social justice portion of her work here overseeing the Saturday hotmeals and pantry programs here at Trinity. 

Jenn loves her family, working with teenagers, Africa, baking, and working on her mini farm - especially with baby goats.  She also enjoys cheering (and crying over) all Cleveland sports Teams!   

Email Jenn at: faithform@trinitylutherankent.org 

Amanda Gantz is a Pennsylvania native (Go Steelers!) having  made Ohio her home in 2015. She has been at Trinity since the spring of 2016.

Amanda has a B.S. in Marketing and Communications from Slippery Rock University. When not enjoying the wonderful and kind people of Trinity, Amanda is active in the horse show world where she competes in Three-Day Eventing.

She and her husband Zach own a farm in Lake Milton with 4 horses,  a donkey, 3 dogs,  a cat, and a family of foxes  who affectionately call Diamond Fox Farm their home. 

Email the office at: office@trinitylutherankent.org

Anna graduated first in her class from Columbiana High School and is currently a Kent State University student double majoring in neuroscience and biochemistry. She has been involved with music throughout her life - studying the organ for seven years and the piano for twelve. Anna has won several awards throughout the years and has been a church organist since she was twelve years old. 

Cody Burroughs is a vocalist and choral director from Northeast Ohio. A recent graduate from Kent State University, Cody earned a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Choral Music Education as well as a Bachelor of Music with a focus on Vocal Performance. Outside of Trinity, Cody is a Voice Instructor at the Akron Music Institute, as well as the Director of Choruses for the Video Game Symphony/Cinematic Symphony Orchestra. He is an active musician within the Northeast Ohio area, gigging throughout Akron, Canton and Cleveland. As the director, Cody specializes in choral conducting and creating a culture of excitement, camaraderie, and joy for his musicians and choristers!