PENN TWP — The Rev. Jason Schweinberg, 44, didn’t know that he wanted to work in ministry until 10 years ago.

At that time, Schweinberg held a position on a church council and had just been named one of Verizon Wireless’s top 100 salesmen.

He already had completed a bachelor’s degree in child development and a master’s degree in social work at the University of Pittsburgh when he was younger, but decided to go back to school to pursue a master’s degree in divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He felt it was his calling.

“I was always involved in the church before that,” Schweinberg said. “It was a natural thing that progressed to that.”

Schweinberg took over as pastor at the Nixon United Methodist Church two months ago after the departure of the former pastor, the Rev. Jim Cannastraci.

Schweinberg doesn’t boast of his past accomplishments as a pastor, but rather takes pride in sharing his faith with others, hoping to make disciples out of those he meets.

Though he is anticipating annual church events like its drive-through Christmas Nativity, he is most looking forward to worshipping with his congregation and teaching about Jesus.

“I’m just excited for every Sunday when people come together to worship God,” he said. “It’s not only about proclaiming the good news, but it’s also about teaching, because it might be the first time people hear it.”

Church member Barb Mickey, 76, has enjoyed working with Schweinberg.

“He’s younger than most of our pastors, so we have to get used to that,” she said. “But since he is younger than the other pastors, it brings a different dimension and different life experience.”

Janet Black, 67, chairman of the church council, agrees.

“It takes a while to get to know a new pastor, but he’s been good,” she said.

Schweinberg’s first assignment was in northern Armstrong County where he led three churches, Templeton United Methodist Church, Widnoon United Methodist Church and Kellersburg United Methodist Church.

He spent seven years there and, most recently, he served for three years as a pastor in Wilson, N.C.

A Pennsylvania native, Schweinberg might leave temporarily, but always seems to find his way back to his home state. Though Methodist pastors don’t have control over where they are placed, he requested to move back to Pennsylvania before he came to Nixon.

Even before becoming a pastor, Schweinberg bounced between states. He ran a preschool in Idaho after completing his first round of education, but returned home to Munhall when his father’s health declined.

With his placement at Nixon United Methodist Church, Schweinberg is excited to be around young children. The church has Sunday school classes beginning Sunday and has a preschool throughout the week.

“It’s so nice to hear the kids over there,” he said.

After leaving the preschool in Idaho, he offered family counseling and therapy for children in Pennsylvania.

Schweinberg and his wife Michele have five children — Jay, Patrick, Ben, Sam and Jayden — ranging from the oldest in college down to the youngest in fourth grade.

As part of his pastoring, Schweinberg will lead a weekly Bible study every Tuesday evening. He hopes to be “a beacon of light in the community.”

Worship services at Nixon are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays.