Ed Brandt comes to Lely Presbyterian Church following nearly 32 years of service in the National Guard and having served pastorates in Pennsylvania, Delaware, California, and Michigan.

For over twenty years, he served as an installed pastor while serving the National Guard one weekend a month and two weeks a year.

In 2008 Ed deployed to Iraq serving as a Brigade Chaplain providing pastoral care and worship to over 1200 Soldiers. For his service in Iraq, Ed received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. Upon returning home, he continued service as a Chaplain at the National Guard Bureau, then as State Chaplain for Delaware. Ed was eventually selected as Chief Chaplain, National Guard Bureau and United States Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Brigadier General in May 2020. He was honored to serve as the guest preacher for the 2019 annual Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery.

At his retirement he received the Distinguished Service Cross from the Delaware National Guard, and the Joint Service Medal, normally reserved for the rank of major general and above, from the National Guard Bureau.

Ed recently served as the executive pastor for Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. There he managed a $3.5 million budget, provided input on the management of a $29 million endowment fund, and supervised 27 full- and part-time employees.

He has served churches ranging in size from 50 to 2200 in rural, urban, and suburban contexts. Ed served as senior pastor for Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, Pacific Palisades, California and Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware. He also served as a solo pastor for Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church, East Earl, Pennsylvania.

Ed has served the denomination as a Director on the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA); Committee on Ministry; Stated Clerk; Chair and Vice-Chair of several Administrative
Commissions; and most recently the Budget and Finance Team for National Capital Presbytery.

Board service includes Advisory Board member to the American Bible Society; Thanks USA, providing scholarships to spouses and children of military service members; and Alumni Board of Governors for the University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio. Ed is a lifelong Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Awards and honors include University of Findlay as an Outstanding Alumni; and the Moss Award from Lancaster Theological Seminary presented for distinguished service in the practice of specialized ministry.

Ed’s academic degrees include a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Doctor of Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Findlay. He has completed various MBA courses and participated in the Homeland Defense Seminar at Harvard University in 2016.

Ed is married to the former Jane Stewart. He is the father of three children with a daughter living in Fishers, Indiana; a son living in Eugene, Oregon; and a son living in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Jane and Ed spoil their three granddaughters and their beautiful Akita named Brownie. Jane is a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines and has over 30 years in the airline industry. Jane and Ed are very excited about becoming a part of the Lely Presbyterian Church and the greater Naples community!