Ordination of Tyler Cronkright into the Office of the Pastoral Ministry

January 6th, 2020

On Saturday, January 4, 2020 Christ Our Savior had the opportunity to participate in the Ordination service for Tyler Cronkright. It was a joyous celebration as the community at Christ Our Savior and Family of God rejoiced together in being able to celebrate and witness God's calling on His servant, Tyler. Twenty Six pastors including friends, pastors who have mentored Tyler, and pastors from local congregations participated in the service each sharing a word from God for Tyler and giving him a personal blessing. Rev. Jim Hill and Rev. Joseph Fabry had the honor of vesting Tyler with a red stole given to him by Family of God.

Pastor Tyler Cronkright has been called to serve at Family of God and has been serving there with Pastor Jim Hill for many years as a student and vicar. He will be installed as a pastor at Family of God in the coming weeks.

Read more from Rev. Cronkright and his journey below.

By Rev. Tyler Cronkright
'I have always been a “Detroit guy.” Growing up in Grand Blanc, I was always just an hour away from the Motor City. This meant taking multiple trips downtown for different events and I truly learned to love this city for so many reasons. I had no idea how much my love for Detroit was going to impact what God was going to do in my life.

I graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 2010 and I had this dream of going to the greatest university in the world, to study engineering at the University of Michigan. Five years later and I accomplished one of those goals. I did graduate from the greatest university in the world, but it was just down the road off of Geddes Road at Concordia University Ann Arbor with degrees in Family Life Church Work, Family Life Social Work, and Psychology (because when you try every major within the Family Life program, all of those Psychology courses add up.)

CUAA was where my life changed dramatically. From meeting lifelong friends and colleagues, getting involved in so many on and off campus events, to being led to Family of God the fall of my (first) senior year, God did such a marvelous work in my heart. But that wasn’t even the best thing. After returning to Concordia for some part time work in 2016, I met the woman of my dreams in the fall of 2017, who became my wife last February.

Brandi graduated from CUAA, as well, in 2018 and teaches Kindergarten at St. John Lutheran Church & School in Rochester, Michigan. God has used her love for kids and servant heart to touch the lives of so many people at Family of God. She teaches Sunday School at Family of God and is always interacting with folks who need a listening ear. God has blessed me with an incredible partner in life and in ministry.

After about 2 years of involvement with Family of God, Pastor Jim Hill invited me to join him in a full-time position. I had no idea what he was doing at the time, but God did. Pastor Jim promised me an adventure of a lifetime. Again, I had no idea what that meant, but God did. I am so grateful for this journey, for Pastor Hill’s love (and constructive criticism), and all of the highs and lows that have come along the way, including studying at the Seminary in the Specific Ministry Pastor program.

After two and a half years of studying with other brothers in Christ at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, I have the privilege of serving God in His Church. I feel honored to be a pastor and serve the people at Family of God in Southwest Detroit. I am constantly in awe that God has chosen me to fill this position, and often wonder if He chose the right person. But, seeing the transformation of so many brothers and sisters in our neighborhood, though the power of Jesus, I am encouraged that God is not done in Detroit and is going to continue to work in mighty ways. It is a true blessing to serve as a pastor in Christ’s church, and I cannot thank you all enough for your support for me and my wife. God is so good and ALWAYS faithful. To Him alone be the glory, forever and ever.'