The congregation of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church will be installing the Rev. Tony VanCura as its 16th pastor.
The Installation Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 3 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 130 S Lone Oak Dr., Leesburg. The service will be officiated by the Rt. Rev. Pedro Suárez, Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA.
The installation of a pastor is one of the most significant and joyful occasions in the life of a Lutheran congregation, a moment when the gathered community formally receives its new shepherd and commissions him for word and sacrament ministry in their midst. The presence of Bishop Suárez to officiate reflects the deep connection between Gloria Dei and the Florida-Bahamas Synod and underscores the importance of this milestone.
The Gloria Dei family extends a warm welcome to Pastor VanCura and invites all members, friends, and neighbors to share in this celebration of new beginnings. A reception with light refreshments will follow the service.
VanCura journey to ordained ministry is a testament to the truth that God’s call can come at any season of life. Born in Pipestone, Minn., he grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River in Wabasha, Minn., before enlisting in the United States Navy. His service eventually brought him to Orlando, where he met his wife, Karen. Together, they will celebrate 40 years of marriage this September, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Alexis and Melissa.
At the age of 45, while working full-time at FedEx Technology Services in Maitland, VanCura felt a clear call to ministry and embarked on a 10-year journey toward ordination. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies from Amridge University in Montgomery, Ala., and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., the same institution that has formed Lutheran pastors for generations. He completed his Clinical Pastoral Education at Orlando Regional Medical Center and his internship at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Winter Park.
He retired from FedEx in 2016 and answered his first pastoral call at Christ Lutheran Church in Greensboro, N.C., where he served faithfully for nine and a half years. As family needs drew VanCura and his wife back to Florida, he transitioned to a Hearing Officer role with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in November 2025. In February, he entered into conversation with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church about serving as pastor — and the rest, as they say, is a God story.
Outside of ministry, Tony and Karen enjoy the best of Florida life: Disney, beaches, card games, cooking, and making memories with their family, including their two beloved dogs.