I’m excited to share the story of Pastor Dennis Trout in the second episode of the Journey of my Mother’s Son podcast.

I was able to sit down with Pastor Trout back in January, right before he retired from the ministry after serving 50 years as pastor at Swamp Lutheran Church.  My wife and I have only been attending Swamp for less than 1/5 of the time that Pastor Trout has been there, but in the eight years that we have known him, he has been a huge inspiration and rock for us to lean on at times.

Pastor Trout and I are at similar stages of our lives, he retired after 50 years in the same role and I recently “retired” after 30 years serving as president of a nonprofit youth sports organization.  I put retired in quotation marks because I am only 50 years old and I will still be working, speaking and conducting coaching workshops for Positive Coaching Alliance, but we are certainly embarking on a new journey for sure, a literal journey in an RV across the country.  Part of that journey will be to help to tell the stories of the many little people, in many little places, doing many little things to make the whole world change.

The Reverend Dennis Trout certainly falls into that category, for 50 years he had ministered to this small congregation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, whom he affectionately refers to as his “Swamp People.”  His servant leadership may have at times seemed little to him, but for those in his congregation like my wife and I, he changed our world for the better.

Pastor Trout is adjusting to his new normal of his retirement, spending time with his wife, Bonnie and getting ready to write a book.

I am honored to help tell the story of one man who changed the lives of many little “Swamp People” and I hope that you enjoy it as well.