About Christus Victor Lutheran Church

Pastor Tom Slater has been serving as senior pastor of CVLC since 1996.  He grew up in Northeastern New Jersey and went to Concordia College in Bronxville, New York. From there, he attended seminary at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA. He was ordained in 1985 and has served churches in Loganville, PA (Christ Lutheran), Jacksonville, FL (Faith Lutheran), and now Naples, FL (Christus Victor Lutheran). His passion for ministry lies in reaching out to all with the love of Jesus Christ. He is the proud father of three beautiful daughters and seven charming grandchildren.

Gerard Benjamin serves as a Synod Parish Deacon at Christus Victor. Gerry and his wife Carol relocated to Estero, Florida in October, 2014. Gerry completed the 2-year Diakonia program in June, 2017 and was commissioned as Parish Deacon in July, 2017. He enjoys serving with Pastor Tom and working on technical and property projects at Christus Victor.

Joyce Reitz has been serving as our Director of Music since 2011.  Joyce was born in Cairnbrook, PA  a very small coal town in Somerset County.  She studied piano and organ under Rita Sadlon, the organist at her home church, and pipe organ at Shippensburg University. She has been playing for congregations since age 13, and has served as organist, pianist, and choir director of many churches in PA and FL. She is enjoying working with Pastor Tom, the choir, the office staff, and getting to know the congregation.  Her favorite past times are working in her yard, doing odd jobs around her home, and helping her neighbors. You can reach her with inquiries about CVLC’s music programs by email at musicbyjoyleen@aol.com.

Dawn King serves as our Office Administrator. She has been an active member of Christus Victor since 1992, and has especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School for many years. Dawn lives with her husband, Bruce, in Naples, and their daughter and son-in-law, Jacquelyn and Ben reside and work in Tampa. She joined the CVLC staff in 2009.

Susan O’Brien is our Director of Youth and Education.  She grew up moving all over the world while her dad served in the U.S. Army.  She has lived in Germany, Japan, Korea, and many states in the U.S.  Susan has 3 adult sons and a daughter currently attending Purdue University.  She loves working with children and youth, and lives for the “a-ha” moments when a child finally gets something they’ve been working hard at.

Sherry Slater is Christus Victor’s Senior Ministry Director. Sherry grew up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania but has lived in Bonita Springs for over 25 years. She’s been married for 38 years and enjoys spending time with her family, reading and crocheting. She has her Master’s Degree in Business from Hodges University, and after retiring as the General Manager for the Club at Rapallo, God has called her into this wonderful venture of Senior Ministry. Sherry is available to answer, or research answers, for all your questions that might arise on “senior” needs. Feel free to contact her at seniorministry@cvlcfl.org or call the church office at (239) 597-1043.