Our Mission:
Hyde Park United Methodist Church is a community of people committed to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in the love of God, and called to make that love real to others.
We accomplish this mission by becoming people who
Invite people to experience the love of God and become disciples of Jesus Christ,
Equip disciples to be agents of God's reconciling love in the world,
Care for one another in Christian community; and
Send disciples as servants of Christ to participate in God's transformation of the world.
Justin LaRosa
Full name: Justin James LaRosa
But Please Call Me: Justin
Position: Director of Discipleship Ministries
Born where and when: Pittsburgh, PA — Nov. 19
Family facts: Married to Caroline; a daughter, Isabella, and a son, Russell
Education: BSW & MSW — University of South Florida; studied Hotel, Restaurant, Institutional Management at Pennsylvania State University
How I became a Christian: Lots of wandering in the desert
How I ended up at Hyde Park: A good friend invited me to Hyde Park. I attended another church for about a year and felt God's pull back here. The Holy Spirit is a great guide when I listen.
The most important thing I do around here is: Work with the church staff and lay teams to help folks grow their discipleship and develop other leaders.
FAVORITES
Links: www.trappist.net, www.cacradicalgrace.org
Music: David Crowder, Creed, U2, Dave Matthews Band, Smashing Pumpkins
Movie: “Big Fish” and “Mystic River”
TV Show: “The Office”
Food: Ribs (sweet sauce), Chicken Panang (Thai), Lamb Palak (Indian)
Place to vacation: Palm Island Resort (where Caroline and I were married)
Place to eat: India Grill (in St. Pete), Any BBQ Ribs place (Does anyone know another good ribs place? :) )
How I spend my free time: Reading, working out
Best book I’ve read recently: “Open Heart, Open Mind” by Thomas Keating; “Great Themes of Scripture” (audio) and “The Enneagram” by Richard Rohr.
What I treasure: My relationship with my wife and young children.
Nobody knows that I... love to sculpt clay and throw pots (but haven't done any for nine years)
Hero I’d most like to meet: My grandfather (who I knew well in early life, but he got Alzheimer's and didn't get to know me as an adult), Martin Luther King Jr., and, of course, Jesus!
My vision for the future of Hyde Park Church is: That every person who encounters the community of Hyde Park will experience God's transforming love, discover God's unique call for their life, and invite others who have not yet experienced Christ's love to walk along with them.
One way folks can pray for me: Continue to practice the discipline of centering prayer and to show the love of Christ to those I come into contact with during my life.