From The APNC: Pastor George Antonakos

To many people at Central, George Antonakos is both a familiar name and a familiar face. Having served as the Youth Director in the 70's and early 80's and then twice as Central's Interim Senior Pastor, George has had a tremendous impact on this congregation over the past 29 years. However, there are those who have never had the opportunity to meet him, so it is only fitting that, as we prepare to vote on the APNC's recommendation that George return to Central (yet again!) as our Associate Pastor, we share a little history of our friend.

In 1976, George Antonakos was hired as the Youth Director at Central to work with the middle and high school students, and eventually senior high and college students. During that time, the Youth Ministry grew. Some students even mentioned the Thursday morning evangelistic breakfasts in their high school yearbooks. Toward the end of 1983, several members of Central encouraged George to attend seminary and supported his education, which he pursued at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan (1984-1986). Fifteen years later, following Pastor Ron Scates' departure, George returned to Central as the Interim Senior Pastor. After two years as our Interim, George stepped down to go on sabbatical. For six months, supply pastors occupied Central's pulpit as the Pastor Nominating Committee continued searching for the next permanent Senior Pastor. In January of 2003, George returned as the Interim for a six-month term and led the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign. Toward the end of George's term, the PNC announced their nomination of John Schmidt as the next Senior Pastor. George left in July to follow another Interim Senior Pastor call at Paoli Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania.

George has been married to his lovely wife, Ellen, for almost 32 years. They have three children: George, who is single and lives in San Diego, California; Andrea who lives and works in the Baltimore area and is married to Tony Conrad; and Mandy, who works in Central's Children's Ministry and is married to Greg Jung.

George now returns to Central for the fourth time since he first started in 1976 and we are overjoyed to have him back!

See also:

• Seeking: Associate Pastor
• NV: Introducing Our New Associate Pastor!, 4/10
• NV: APNC Update, 4/10
• NV: Four Reasons Why I Said, "YES!", 4/24/05