Dr. Paul Rader is the pastor at Northside Presbyterian. Paul was born and raised in Ironton, Ohio, a small iron-producing town across the river from Ashland, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia. He attended Pikeville College in Pikeville, Kentucky and began attending First Presbyterian Church, primarily because it was within walking distance from his dorm. There he discovered a polity that seemed to mirror what he found in the New Testament. Intrigued and blessed by this congregation, he became a member during sophomore year. He has been learning what it means to be Presbyterian and Reformed ever since.
He continued his education in the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Paul served congregations in Ashland, KY, and Huntington, WV. For six years he was the Coordinator for Mission for the Coalition for Appalachian Ministry, which brought him to Knoxville. He was a Parish Associate at Westminster Presbyterian Church and was the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville for thirteen years. He has served on nearly every committee the Presbytery of East Tennessee has and is happy to be able to continue his ministry within the bounds of PET.
Paul is married to Linda, they have three children—Lindsey, Gresha, and Thomas—all living in the Knoxville area, and three grandchildren—Ava, Allie and Brooks—also in Knoxville. He also has Lucy Blu, the Golden Doodle, frequent goodwill ambassador for Northside Presbyterian.