Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church is pleased to welcome Austin Applebach as its new Director of Engagement. In this role, Applebach will invite, welcome, and integrate members, both onsite and online, into the robust and expanding life of the church. He will help grow the congregation and strengthen the Fifth Avenue community.

“We are overjoyed to have Austin on the team,” says Senior Pastor the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston. “The Director of Engagement opens the door for people to join us on the journey of life and faith. Austin comes to us with deep experience in gathering and sustaining faith communities. His intelligence, abilities, and positive energy will help us all in sharing the good news of the Gospel and the gifts of this church.”

“I am so excited to be joining the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church as the Director of Engagement,” Austin says. “Deep connection to spiritual communities has been a lifeline for me in turbulent times and an overwhelming source of joy in life’s bright moments. I am honored by the opportunity to support these relationships and eager to see the fruit this will bear at Fifth Avenue and beyond.”

A wide portfolio

In his new role, Applebach is responsible for a wide portfolio. Over 2,000 members,  an extensive roster of community groups, and a growing online ministry comprise Fifth Avenue’s community life. As Director of Engagement, Applebach will recruit new members, run new member classes, plan events such as the annual Kenneth O. Jones Awards Dinner, lead community groups, and participate in Sunday worship services, including managing our weekly and well-attended Sunday Coffee Hours.

“This job requires such an extraordinary combination of skills,” says Chris Palmer, Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Membership. “You have to be a strong administrator with excellent organizational ability. The Director of Engagement also must have executive thinking and an empathetic imagination, alongside a gracious pastoral presence, ability to foster healthy relationships, and an instinct for welcome. These traits shine in Austin.”

Approaching the world with curiosity and compassion

A 2015 graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity program, Applebach also holds a B.A. in philosophy from Arizona State University. Before coming to Fifth Avenue, he served in a variety of community-building and leadership roles in seminaries and faith-based organizations in Colorado, New Jersey, and New York.

“Throughout my career in ministry and nonprofit leadership I have been blessed to be part of so many different spaces committed to spiritual formation and shared mission,” Applebach says. “I am also a son and brother from a big family, a fly fisherman, runner, plane spotter, and hot dog enthusiast. I strive to approach the world with curiosity and compassion, and these are values I find myself deeply drawn to in the character of Jesus. A friend once called me ‘Mr. Up-for-it’ because I love accepting invitations to any adventure, big or small. I’m thrilled to be joining Fifth Avenue for this adventure and look forward to meeting you soon!”

Applebach started at Fifth Avenue on Tuesday, January 21. Come to a special Coffee Hour on Sunday, January 26, at 12:15 pm, in Bonnell Hall, to welcome him to Fifth Avenue!