Church Staff

The Rev. Gregg Hoffman
Senior Pastor | pastorgregg@poplargo.org

Pastor Gregg comes from Wheeling, West Virginia. He is a lifelong Lutheran, the denomination that empowered him to explore and grow in faith. During his high school and college years, he served as the organist for his home congregation and campus ministry. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Liberty University. Pr. Gregg attended Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC, where he met Pr. Rachel – they were married before starting their senior year. During seminary, he served as the Vicar at Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, NC, and after graduation, he was called there as one of their pastors. In the fall of 2018, Grace Lutheran Church in Rock Hill, SC called Pr. Gregg and he continued serving there until July of 2025, when he accepted the call to serve at Prince of Peace.

Here at Prince of Peace, Pr. Gregg serves as the Head of Staff (including Ruth’s Promise and our Preschool), and is the lead pastor for the Worship, Management, and Proclamation Commissions. 

In South Carolina, Pr. Gregg enjoyed serving planning committee for Race and Reconciliation of Rock Hill, Rock Hill’s Community Healing Initiative, the Ethics Committee at the local hospital, and Affirmation of York County. When he is not occupied with church work, Pr. Gregg enjoys spending time with Pr. Rachel, visiting local breweries, playing the organ (though his skills are rather rusty), going on walks with their dogs, and exploring Pinellas County. He was re-elected as the Dean of the Upstate Conference of the SC Synod, but left that position to serve here in Largo. He continues to serve (mostly remotely) as the Treasurer of South Carolina Lutheran Retreat Centers. He currently serves on the Worship Planning Committee for the Florida-Bahamas Synod’s 2026 Assembly. 

The Rev. Rachel Hoffman
Pastor | pastorrachel@poplargo.org

Pastor Rachel is originally from Simpsonville, SC, and was baptized, confirmed, married, and ordained all in the same Lutheran congregation there in the Foothills. She earned a bachelor’s degree in religion from Furman University and then pursued her graduate degree at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. During seminary, she was the Vicar at All Saints Lutheran Church in Huntsville, AL. After seminary, she was called to Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, NC. In the fall of 2018, Grace Lutheran Church called Pr. Rachel where she served as its Pastor until July 2025.

Here at Prince of Peace, Pr. Rachel is the lead pastor for the Nurture and Service Commissions, along with the Stewardship team, Youth and Confirmation programs. 

Pr. Rachel enjoys exploring new places with Pr. Gregg and their dogs, time at the beach, coffee with friends, and great local restaurants. Pr. Rachel served as a member of SC Synod Council and was the Chair of the Synod’s Personnel Committee when she left to accept the new call to Largo. She is currently helping with the Florida-Bahamas Synod’s Credentials Reports for the 2026 Assembly. 

Dr. Shawn Thomas
Director of Music & Organist | shawn@poplargo.org

Shawn oversees a music ministry comprised of the parish adult, children’s, and handbell choirs, and is the Artistic Director for the Art For Faith’s Sake concert series. He currently serves as Dean of the Clearwater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Shawn holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. Graduate and undergraduate work was completed at The University of Florida (Gainesville) and The University of West Florida (Pensacola), respectively. His past teachers include Michael Bauer, Laura Ellis, James Higdon, Lynne Lauderdale, and Kevin Vogt. Shawn has performed in masterclasses with renowned French organists Michel Bouvard, Vincent Dubois, Daniel Roth, and Olivier Latry, and American organists Marie Rubis Bauer, Marilyn Keiser, and Tom Trenney. Shawn is married to Michelle, the Cathedral Administrator & Associate for Christian Formation at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter (Episcopal) in St. Petersburg, FL.

Priscilla Luster
Preschool Director | preschool@poplargo.org

Priscilla began her teaching career in a 2-year-old classroom and moved from there to VPK. She received her Childcare Staff Credential in December of 2020 and her Director Credential through the State of Florida in 2024. Priscilla focuses on the whole child and the whole family as an Early Education Teacher, believing that each child can reach their fullest potential by families and teachers working together cohesively. She assists teachers in classrooms daily and strives to build relationships with each child and staff member. She is excited to help our preschoolers grow their minds through literacy, math, science, creativity and faith, as well as develop socially and emotionally into well rounded children ready for Kindergarten. Priscilla is a Boston native who has found her happiness here in Florida, where she treasures being a mom of two with a busy house and loving family.

Gidget DiRienz
Parish Secretary/Receptionist | gidget@poplargo.org

Gidget accepted her position at PoP in the summer of 2023. Her background includes the previous 12 years as a Parish Administrator at another church. The rest of her career was in the legal field as a paralegal in both law firms and corporations. Gidget is originally from Toledo, Ohio, moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2008, and is the adopted mom of her two now adult grandsons. She feels being called to Pop was a gift from God.

Sharon Bower
Parish Bookkeeper | bookkeeper@poplargo.org

Prior to joining the PoP team in April 2024, Sharon spent the last 20 years working for a privately held commercial real estate development and management company.  While there she held a variety of roles including bookkeeper, property manager and office manager allowing her to anticipate the needs of staff, tenants, vendors, as well as the management team.  Sharon has also worked for a variety of other companies to include; residential property management, Space and Strategic Operations accounting, and Waste-to Energy facility.  She earned her Associates of Arts degree in General Business from St. Petersburg Junior College, attended the University of South Florida studying Business, is a Certified Apartment Manager and has completed the training program to become a Community Association Manager.