Paul Seland served as pastor of Staunton Mennonite Church from
September 1983 - September 1989. He was entering his final year at
Eastern Mennonite Seminary when he was called to serve as pastor. He
graduated from Seminary in May, 1984 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree
focused on counseling/church growth. He was licensed to the ministry in
October, 1983 by Virginia Conference of the Mennonite Church. Paul also
served on the Virginia Conference Mission Board from 1985-89.
In July of 1984, he married Twila Swartz of AuGres, MI,
whom he met at Eastern Mennonite Seminary while singing in the Seminary
Touring Choir. Twila worked in the Admissions Office at Eastern
Mennonite College.
Following his tenure at Staunton, Paul and Twila moved to
Harrisonburg, VA to teach at Cornerstone Bible College/Seminary. He
served as interim pastor of St. Luke's United Church of Christ in
Timberville VA for
1 1/2 years before coming on staff with Cornerstone Mennonite Church &
Ministries as a counseling pastor at the Mt. Crawford, VA location. He
was ordained in 1992 through Virginia Conference of the Mennonite
Church. Paul continued as a staff pastor at Cornerstone and instructor
in its Bible College/Seminary until January, 2003.
In September, 2003, Paul joined Pastor George Yoder, a former instructor
with him at Cornerstone Bible College/Seminary in a church planting
called New Covenant Fellowship which meets in the Elkton, VA V.F.W.
Hall. While there, he taught classes on Christian growth/discipleship
and served as assistant worship leader.
In March of 2006, Paul accepted a call to become pastor of Frieden's
United Church of Christ in Mt. Crawford, VA. He and Twila have 2
children, a daughter Jennifer (age 16) and a son Jonathan (age 12).
They live at 4923 Frieden's Church Rd., Mt. Crawford, VA 22841.
