Pastor Paul Andell, Lead Pastor

Pastor Paul Andell, Lead pastor at St. James, was first called to the church as a Gettysburg Seminary graduate in 1972. For the next 39 years, he served this large congregation, first as Assistant Pastor, and then, for 36 years as Pastor. Under his leadership, St. James developed a preschool and many faith-enhancing ministries including Stephen’s Ministry. St. James became a more inclusive community church as well and was the largest Lutheran church in Philadelphia, with 5 weekly services, in 2011. The pastor was always active in civic affairs. Pastor Paul relocated to the Midwest and was an Associate Pastor at Morningside Lutheran in Sioux City, Iowa from 2012 – 2018 where he did pastoral/outreach ministry. In 2018, he became Lead pastor of Hawley Lutheran, Hawley, Minnesota, a position he held until returning to St. James as redevelopment pastor in March of 2020.

A native of Rhode Island, and the son of a Lutheran pastor, Pastor Paul grew up in Miami, Florida. He married the beautiful, Pamela, in 1972, and together they raised 3 sons and a daughter. The Andells have a lake home in northern Minnesota. A people-connecting person, the pastor Loves ministry, Jesus, his family, and his heritage. With Pamela, he has travelled the world.

Eva Parisi, Ministries Coordinator/Preschool Teacher 

My name is Eva Parisi. I live in Parkwood with my husband Michael of 17 years and our daughter Ella who is 15. I am a lifelong member of St. James and have accepted the new position as Ministries Coordinator. It is an honor to be given the opportunity to spend my daily work at St. James. This statement says more to me than ‘going to work’. It says I drive to my ‘destination’ for the day which in turn will give more back to me than I could ever give back to it. This position will bring me closer to you, myself and our savior.

Throughout my career in Early Childhood Education I have expanded my wheelhouse of talents and skills. I am drawn to the children of course but I have other strengths that can’t always be explored in the classroom. When I am not at home with family or the church I am in Newtown teaching dance to children 2-12 years old. 

As M.C. of St. James I hope to add these abilities in the community, our building and with all of you. I enjoy doing the work and do not shy from a challenge. A goal of mine is to build organization within the many ministries we have and plan for, here at St. James. My vision is to create bright spaces that are welcoming to new people, not only for worship but for building use as well. 

By making connections, engaging with youth and families and working with our church leaders, goals will be reached. I will also be promoting and teaching in the preschool at the start of our year and as needed. 

My prayer is to show others the reason they have to walk into our doors at Castor and Pratt. Not all reasons are the same and with each other we can find theirs and make it happen. With the congregation, leaders and community support we will continue on a successful path to the great future we can share together at St. James. 

Stephen Acosta, Traditional Worship Leader 

Stephen Acosta is a vocalist and pianist from the Lawncrest neighborhood of Philadelphia—or Philly, as he prefers to call his city. Stephen started singing in church before he was 5 years old and has never stopped since. From elementary to university, he would take private music lessons and sing in several choirs across his academic career, touring at venues from Connecticut to the Dominican Republic. His love for music culminated in a Bachelor of Music from Temple University in 2019.

Currently, Stephen teaches elementary-level students in the Philly area and is on track to graduate with his Master of Education from Eastern University in 2025. Stephen has continued sharing his love of God through music with St. James Lutheran Church since 2020. He has no plans of stopping anytime soon.