Organized as a mission church of the American Lutheran Church in 1986, Messiah is centrally located to serve several southern New Hampshire communities. Members are primarily from Amherst, Milford, Merrimack, Mt. Vernon, Hollis, Bedford and New Boston.
Our first sanctuary was completed with a Service of Dedication held November 17, 2002. Worship Services, Sunday School and church offices are now all located at 303 Hwy 101.
Meet our Pastor
The Reverend Thomas E. Teichmann is the son and grandson of Lutheran pastors, and while he had no doubt about following in their footsteps, his path was not a direct one. It was the path of outdoor ministry that focused his faith, introduced him to his wife of 26 years and provided a rewarding first career before being called to the path of rostered ministry. Born in Rochester, NY and raised in New Hyde Park, NY, Pastor Tom was first drawn to outdoor ministry in high school as a camper and counselor and later in college served as an assistant summer camp director.
After graduating with a B.A. in Sociology from the State University of New Jersey at Ramapo, he accepted an interim camp director position and moved on to permanent ranger and camp director opportunities. With a solid career in outdoor ministry spanning experiences in New York, Georgia and North Carolina, Pastor Tom responded to a call to theological education in 1994. He, his wife Lisa and then fourth grade son Erik moved to Gettysburg where he enrolled in Seminary as a second career student and earned a Master of Divinity in 1998.
From Gettysburg it was on to Trinity Lutheran Church a small historic congregation with Finnish roots in South Paris, ME where he served until being called to Messiah in 2006. While at Trinity, Pastor Tom was active and served as president of the local ecumenical group, was a volunteer chaplain at the local hospital, and served as president of the Child Health Center board. Currently he serves the larger church as a writer for Augsburg Fortress and on the New England Synod Council.
While this is the first time he has lived in New Hampshire, the Teichmann family has deep roots here having summered at the family camp on Lake Winnipesaukee for decades. His parents Pastor Fred and Claire retired to New Hampshire more than a decade ago and serve as weekend registrars at Camp Calumet in Ossipee. Pastor Tom and Lisa also maintain links to their outdoor ministry roots as retreat facilitators of note at Calumet where Pastor leads Men’s retreats and Lisa’s creative skills as a quilter and teacher facilitates the highly acclaimed Quilter’s retreats annually.
Messiah is blessed to have Pastor Tom a creative and accomplished worship leader, preacher, youth ministry specialist and engaged community service oriented steward as our fourth pastor. We are further blessed by his wife Lisa as a fellow worker with us in ministry, whose artistic creativity and servant’s heart has found a home here at Messiah.
God of wisdom, in your goodness you continue to raise up faithful shepherds to serve your church. We thank you for the gift of Pastor Tom and Lisa Teichmann who match the needs and vision of this congregation. Grant the presence of your Holy Spirit as they lead and serve as fellow workers with us in doing your ministry together in this place in ways that are pleasing to you and build up the whole Body of Christ. Amen.