The Rev. Deborah Fortel

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA)
Organization: Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Rev. Deborah Fortel is a Presbyterian minister who serves as an intentional interim. She lives in Louisville, KY. She most recently was pastor of St. John United Presbyterian Church, New Albany, IN.

Fortel's ministry for the past 25 years has included interim ministry in six congregations, directorship of an urban social service agency, and 11 years as pastor and head of staff of an inner ring suburban congregation. She has served churches in Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana, and Kentucky. She had also been associate for ministry support in the Ministries of Leadership and Vocation department of the National Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville.

Her husband, David Sawyer, is Associate Executive for Ministry in the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy (a Presbyterian regional judicatory in St. Louis and southeastern Missouri).

They live in Louisville with their tuxedo cat Ambrose and their wheaten terrier Finian. Their four children live in Chicago, Kansas City and Raleigh. They like to do wilderness hiking and canoeing, love jazz and classical concerts, and enjoy watching the Louisville River-bats AAA Baseball team. They also spend time together and separately in meditative prayer time and retreats.