The ministry of Saint Peter’s is the ministry of all God’s people, lay and ordained. Our clergy and professional staff work to enable and empower parish members to do their ministries both within the parish, and more importantly, in the world outside of the church’s walls.

We are also part of the larger fellowships of the Diocese of Ohio and of the Episcopal Church, USA, which is a province of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Check out the links to learn about our “family” of 80 million people!

Our Clergy

Michael Lager

THE REVEREND MICHAEL LAGER, RECTOR

The Rev. Mike Lager was called by the vestry of St. Peter’s to serve as rector, beginning his ministry here on Palm Sunday, 2023. He spent his early years in Columbus, Ohio, after his family moved there from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in a loving family that was part of the evangelical and charismatic tradition. (So that’s where his preaching and teaching style was formed!)

In 1984, he had been attending The Ohio State University for two years when he experienced a call to the ministry. He transferred to the Bible College at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies in 1986. Afterward, he went to the Assemblies of God Seminary and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Literature in 1987.

From 1988 to 1992, he served as a Youth Minister in Shreveport, Louisiana. Along the way, he married his college sweetheart, Kim. They relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, where Father Mike attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he earned a Master of Divinity Degree in 1994 while serving as a campus chaplain at the University of Louisville.

While at the University of Louisville, Father Mike found the Episcopal Church and entered discernment for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Kentucky. He attended the General Episcopal Seminary in New York, New York, for “finishing school,” earning a Certificate in Anglican Studies. (So that’s where he learned his Liturgical style!)

 

 

He was the first ordinand from that diocese’s new Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick (You might know that name; Bishop Gulick was Father Keith’s rector and friend from Newport-News, Virginia.)

Fr. Mike has served the Episcopal Church for 25 years, beginning his ministry in Louisville, Kentucky as a curate, where he worked with the Young and Adult Ministry while serving as the Assistant Rector (1996-2000). It was in that season that Mike and Kim added their daughters Madison and Bentley to their family. He took his first call at St. Thomas’ in Louisville, where he served as rector for 10 faithful and productive years. In 2010, God’s call took the Lager family to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to be nearer Kim’s family, where they remained until 2023. Along the way, Fr. Mike has served as President of the Executive Committee, Commission on Ministry, and the Standing Committee in his previous dioceses.

Fr. Mike is an avid golfer, swimmer, smoker (i.e., BBQ), hiker, and lover of outdoor activities. Kim and Mike love to travel, especially now that they are empty-nesters. He is a big sports fan and is excited to get back into the local teams.

“St. Peter’s is a return “home” to Ohio for me, and a new adventure on the Lake for us! I am excited to be a part of this wonderful community and to lead the revitalization of this historic parish! I look forward to welcoming all to this spiritual place, and to journeying with you as we experience the presence of God in all that we do.” Mike+

THE REVEREND NATHAN SELF, CURATE

The Rev. Nathan Self sensed a call to ministry at a young age. He explored that call by studying theology at Kingswood University in New Brunswick, Canada, and subsequently moving to Milwaukee, where he worked at several churches. During his time there, he encountered God inside churches of various denominations, and in movements for justice in the city. Milwaukee is also where he joined the Episcopal Church and finally began the ordination process.

Father Nathan completed his MDiv at Bexley Seabury Seminary, and moved to Cleveland to be closer to his two sisters. He joined St. Peter’s as a transitional deacon in September of 2024, working alongside the Generosity Team and serving on Sunday mornings. Concurrently, he also works as a chaplain resident at the VA Hospital in Cleveland.

On November 9, 2024, Father Nathan was ordained into the priesthood in the Diocese of Wisconsin. Upon his return to St. Peter’s, he assumed the title of Curate, and he continues his ministry here.

Outside of church, he enjoys running, learning new things, cooking, and playing board games — “the nerdier the better,” he says.

Professional Staff

Saint Peter’s is blessed to have a superb staff that supports and coordinates our ministries. They work hand-in-hand with our lay leadership and membership to make sure that our parish mission and ministries run smoothly.

Tom Newman

Barrett (Tom) Newman 

Sexton

Bryan Mitnaul

Organist and Choirmaster

Janine

Janine Finucane

Bookkeeper

Michelle Killin Keith

Children & Youth Minister

Johnny Kaufman

Office Administrator

Lay Leadership

The heart and soul of Saint Peter’s consists of the baptized members of our parish in Lakewood, Ohio. God uses our time, our talents, and our treasure to make the ministries of St. Peter’s happen. Every kind and size of gift and talent is critical to making the Reign of Christ visible in this faith community.

Our parish leadership consists of 12 parishioners who work together on our VESTRY.  These parishioners are elected by the general membership to oversee the workings and the “business” of the parish. They also work alongside the clergy and professional staff to discern God’s vision for our life together, and to provide spiritual leadership for the congregation and the wider Greater Cleveland area community.

Vestry Officers

Liz Crosby

Senior Warden

John Neumann

Junior Warden

Dan Lammers

Treasurer

Betsy Yingling

Clerk

Vestry Members

Beth O’Rourke

Dave Tabar

Dennis Driscoll

John Rich

Nat Pendleton

Naomi Opdycke

Jessica Redel

Keith Jochum