Pastor Thomas Cizmar and Wife, Nancy

Pastor Tom as he is affectiontely known, has accepted the task of helping Prince of Peace and its members to serve the the rapidly growing Castaic community. They are together committed to bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who want to hear it and learn more! Opportunities abound on Sunday mornings for youngersters and oldsters alike to learn more about what the bible teaches under his able leadership and direction.

Pastor Tom was raised in the San Fernando Valley in a Roman Catholic family of nine. His life was dramatically changed when he heard the full gospel on a Reformation Sunday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in North Hollywood. He received his call to ministry two years out of high school while working in the automotive service industry and worked his way through college. He graduated from California State University Northridge with a major in Religious Studies. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. under the American Lutheran Church. He served his Internship in Saginaw Michigan, and received his first call as Associate Pastor to Sylmar, where he met his beautiful bride Nancy, and became a stepfather to two wonderful daughters, Elizabeth and Robin. Pastor Tom received his next call as sole Pastor to Fresno, CA, where he helped develop a Hmong congregation (SE Asian Refugees,) and where his and Nancy's son Jonathan was born.

After years of training a Hmong lay-leader for the ordained ministry, Pastor Tom next received a call to Glendale, CA. This ministry was flourishing well when theological divisions occurred within the newly formed ELCA, (a merger of three Lutheran bodies) and soon within the congregation as well. Pastor Tom and many of the newer members, being considered too conservative for this denomination, established Celebration Christian Lutheran Church in Burbank, CA, an independent congregation using the LCMS constitution and theology as a foundation. After meeting with LCMS District President Loren Kramer, Pastor Toni and Celebration decided to join the LCMS, and eventually merged with First Lutheran Church in Burbank under the leadership of Pastor Bill Brunold, Together with the members they have enjoyed both a contemporary and traditional style of worship.

Pastor Tom enjoys preaching, teaching, small group bible studies, and reaching out to those who are hurting. "Evangelism begins first in the joy of being in the presence of the Lord in worship', he said, "which leads to enthusiasm for sharing the gospel. I believe in a solid theological foundation with the flexibility of a wide variety of methods for reaching the unchurched for Christ. This is one of the most exciting times in history for ministry! So get on the bandwagon, people of God, and let's enjoy what the Lord is about to do in our midst!"