Rev. Daniel G. Shantu (PhD)

Pastor Daniel Shantu was born and grew up in East Africa, Ethiopia, in the Oromia Region speaking the Oromo language known as “Afaan Oroomoo”. He was baptized in the Ethiopian Orthodox church as a kid. He was a high school student when he was invited to visit the Lutheran church in the area which was a special moment in his life. Daniel was deeply touched by the gospel message of the pastor, and he has since been Lutheran. Daniel joined the Lutheran church and became part of the faith community.

Years later, He felt God’s calling and finally went to Mekane Yesus Lutheran Seminary in the Ethiopian capital. Having graduated from seminary, Daniel taught at a Bible College in the capital for two years until he received a scholarship from the Lutheran seminary in Norway for a master’s degree in Philosophy of Religion.

Daniel came to the US and joined the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (Currently known as United Lutheran Seminary) for a Master of Divinity to train for ministry in American cultural context. After doing his internship and the CPE Residency Program, He worked as a chaplain in hospitals for years on the east coast. While working as a chaplain, he decided to pursue a PhD in systematic theology and went to Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California. He accepted a call to serve a congregation in Sierra Pacific Synod following his graduation until he moved back to the east coast.

In December of this year, Daniel received a new call to St. Paul’s ELC in Hummelstown, PA, in Lower Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA, and looks forward to engaging in God’s mission with the community of St. Paul in Hummelstown and beyond.

In his spare time, Daniel enjoys hiking, biking and watching news.