About Pastor Tom

Rev. Thomas M. Glasoe serves as pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Erie, Pennsylvania. A lifelong student of history, theology, leadership, and human formation, Pastor Glasoe brings together intellectual depth, compassionate pastoral care, and a deep belief that the church should be a place of honesty, grace, healing, and meaningful community.
 

Originally arriving in the United States as an unaccompanied minor from three different orphanages in Vietnam, Pastor Glasoe's early life experiences profoundly shaped his understanding of suffering, resilience, and compassion. Those experiences continue to inform his ministry today, especially his commitment to walking alongside people through grief, uncertainty, doubt, and personal struggle.
 

Pastor holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary. Along with being a parish Pastor, he has taught church history and religion at Texas Lutheran University, helping students develop not only knowledge but curiosity, wisdom, and critical thinking. His love of learning remains central to his preaching and teaching ministry.

 

Glasoe has served churches in Texas and Pennsylvania.
 

As a pastor, Pastor Glasoe is passionate about creating a spiritually intelligent and emotionally safe church community where people can wrestle honestly with faith, ask difficult questions, and encounter the grace of Jesus Christ without pretense. His preaching combines biblical depth, historical insight, practical application, and a deep concern for the human heart.

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In addition to ministry, Thomas is an avid reader and writer with a particular interest in American presidential leadership, theology, philosophy, and spiritual formation. He enjoys coffee, history, aviation, literature, and meaningful conversations. He is also the proud father of two sons and caretaker of two beloved cats.
 

Pastor Glasoe believes the church exists not merely to preserve tradition, but to help people discover purpose, healing, courage, and a life rooted in love, service, and hope.