Justin studied math and philosophy at Texas A&M, and received an M.Div. from Trinity Anglican Seminary. 

Between those two degrees, Justin worked in wine in customer service and later as a math teacher in Houston. While teaching in Houston, Justin began attending an NALC Lutheran congregation, under Pastor Evan McClanahan. 

Justin had the opportunity to live in the old parsonage as part of the Bonhoeffer House, a program begun by Evan and based on Bonhoeffer's Life Together. Justin and, at one time, seven others, joined for weekly dinners, nightly evening prayer, and other activities -- all meant to form and disciple through worship in community. 

After a few years of taking evening and weekend seminary courses, Justin eventually committed to attend seminary full-time, and moved to Ambridge Pennsylvania. 

Justin and Nella met in Pittsburgh, while Justin was attending seminary at Trinity Anglican Seminary, in its Lutheran program, in Ambridge. After  discerning a call to begin his pastoral internship in the summer of 2022, Justin moved back to Texas, not too far from where he was born. About a month into his internship, he made the trip back to Pittsburgh -- Washington, PA, actually -- to marry Nella, and she immediately moved to join Justin on his internship. She was fortunate to continue working during this time . At the very end of internship, they were delighted to welcome their firstborn, a daughter, Olive. 

Upon completing his vicarage (year-long pastoral internship) at St John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas, Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church extended a call to Justin Baker. And so, Justin, Nella, & Olive made the trek back up to Pennsylvania.

He was ordained and installed at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on August 20, 2023. 

The following year, Nella gave birth to a boy, Finley. And they are delighted to have another boy on the way, due in 2026.