Welcome, David Lantz!

David Lantz, a.k.a. Dave, is very excited to be coming to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church as the new Director of Youth Ministry.

Dave comes from a strong background of educating and motivating teens and young adults. Dave first started working with youth teaching Tae Kwon Do and then as a lifeguard and manager with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. There, he worked to teach and coach youth swim lessons, swim team, and junior lifeguards.

Dave graduated from Mount St. Joseph University with a Bachelor of Arts in history and art history with goals to work in a museum setting, educating families and school groups. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in public history with a focus on education from Northern Kentucky University. While there, Dave worked for the Cincinnati Art Museum as a security guard and as an education specialist, working on researching and writing education programming materials for the Terracotta Army: Legacy of the First Emperor of China special exhibition. Dave then took his goals and talents to the newly renovated Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal where he was responsible for engaging with visitors in educational activities and community engagement projects, serving until its required closure in March 2020.

Dave brings a breadth of experience and ability to this position. He is an Eagle Scout, a trained firefighter and paramedic, and has a wide variety of interests which include hiking, swimming, and camping. Dave was born in Russia and speaks Russian and Spanish in addition to English. When Dave is not helping to take care of his mother or seeing his younger brother, he is in his wood shop (mom’s garage) making Native American-style flutes and recording his music. Dave hopes to bring and share his talents with, not only the youth group, but also the congregation.

Dave describes himself as an open book, and we hope you will take time to get to know him as he will take time to get to know you. You might see him virtually at coffee hour, morning prayer, or compline. He is already busy planning outdoor youth events for the summer. Please join us in welcoming Dave Lantz to the parish staff and especially to our youth and children ministry team!