On a quiet stretch of East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola, Northminster Presbyterian Church has been a steady presence since 1991. The congregation is small and unhurried, a place where members of many ages and life stages know one another by name, and where Sunday worship is followed by lingering conversation over coffee. Pastor Dr. Gregory N. Seltzer describes the church as a community that seeks to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, welcoming individuals to faith in Jesus Christ, equipping believers for everyday life, and sending them out to serve in the world.
Sunday Morning at Northminster
Worship gathers every Sunday at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary. The service is traditional in tone, with prayer, scripture, preaching, and music that blends classic congregational singing with choral and handbell offerings. Pianist Barry Frost directs the music program, leading the choir and the handbell ensemble, both of which add depth to the liturgy and occasionally perform in concert together. Music Elder Barbara Sawyer serves as the session liaison to the program.
First-time visitors are made to feel at ease. The dress is casual, the atmosphere relaxed, and the people warm without being pushy. Those who need to slip out quickly are not made to feel conspicuous, and many stay after the service to talk, share coffee, or learn about service opportunities.
Five Beliefs That Shape the Church
Northminster roots its teaching in five core Presbyterian convictions. The church affirms the priesthood of all believers, holding that every Christian shares in the call to ministry and has direct access to God. It proclaims the sovereignty of God, trusting that God rules over history, creation, and individual lives. The authority of Scripture stands as the highest guide for faith and life, with the Bible understood as the inspired and inerrant Word of God. Justification by grace through faith lies at the heart of the gospel, with salvation offered as a free gift through Jesus Christ rather than earned by human effort. Finally, the church lives by the Reformation motto Semper Reformanda, always reforming, committed to re-examining belief and practice in light of God's Word.
Northminster is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbytery of Florida, placing it within a wider network of Presbyterian mission and disaster response.
Leadership of the Congregation
Pastor Greg Seltzer provides spiritual leadership and preaching. The church is governed by its Session, a group of elected elders who each oversee a particular area of ministry. Barbara Sawyer serves as Clerk of Session and oversees music. Lisa Chormann shepherds family life. Ron Hull handles administration and finance. Bill Lawing directs outreach. Michael Lawson cares for the facilities. Carl Merrill leads worship. Pam Nulty guides the missions program. Linda Smith serves as office manager and handles day-to-day communications.
Missions and Service to Pensacola
Northminster lives out its faith through a strong local missions program coordinated by Elder Pam Nulty. The congregation supports Manna Food Pantries with ongoing donations collected in bins in the narthex, where members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food throughout the year. Volunteers regularly serve breakfast at Loaves and Fishes, offering warm meals and kind conversation to neighbors in need. The church also prepares and serves lunches at the Ronald McDonald House, comforting families with hospitalized loved ones.
Financial support extends to several partner organizations, including Favor House, United Ministries, and UKirk Tallahassee, the Presbyterian campus ministry at Florida State University. Through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the church is connected to wider relief efforts whenever crises arise.
Seasonal projects bring the congregation together for direct service. Members fill backpacks with school supplies for elementary students, assemble food boxes for more than forty families at Christmas, and distribute warm hats, gloves, scarves, and coats to people experiencing homelessness during the cold months. The church also offers free diabetes, blood pressure, and vision screenings at local schools and libraries, partnering with Lions International to provide corrective eyewear when needed.
A Sponsoring Home for Cub Scout Pack 6
Northminster is proud to sponsor Cub Scout Pack 6, providing meeting space in the Scout Room on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 PM. Adult volunteers from the congregation mentor the young scouts, and shared service projects connect the pack to the church's wider outreach life.
Midweek Rhythms and Fellowship
The week at Northminster has a gentle, regular rhythm. On Wednesday afternoons, the handbell ensemble rehearses in the sanctuary at 4:45 PM, followed by the choir in the Scout Room at 5:45 PM. Adult Bible study meets Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM, providing space for deeper study and conversation. Men's fellowship gathers for breakfast on the first Monday of each month at a local restaurant, while the women's Chat N' Chew meets monthly for shared meals and connection. Sue Smith's Annual Cookie Exchange in December and the Annual Church Picnic each fall are among the year's anticipated gatherings.
Getting Involved and Giving
Members and newcomers alike can step into service quickly, whether through small discussion groups, intergenerational service teams, or community outreach projects. The church invites anyone interested to share their gifts and ideas for shaping the life of the congregation. Online giving is available through the church's eGiving platform, with one-time and recurring donations accepted by bank account, debit card, or credit card. The church office is open on Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and recordings of recent worship services are available for anyone who wishes to experience a service before visiting.
Northminster Presbyterian Church continues its work in east Pensacola as it has for more than three decades, a small congregation rooted in Reformed faith, bound together in music and fellowship, and reaching outward into the community with open hands.