STORY
Centerville Church Celebrates Installation of New Youth Pastor
December 16, 2023
Francis Tuffour
Today, the Centerville Church held an installation ceremony for a new youth and children pastor, José L. Medina Jr., and his family. Micheal Goetz, the church's lead pastor, expressed gladness for the presence of the new pastoral family.
Goetz stated that when the search committee met, they claimed Ephesians 4:11, "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers," he read out. He continued, "And so we claim, Lord, we don't want to pick our own pastor. We want you to pick our pastor. You promised Christ himself gave. And so we claimed it for the Centerville Church. Christ, will you give us the right pastor? Look at this name. Look at this family." When it came to José's family, they asked, "What about this? And God opened the door, and we stepped in." Centerville Church was looking for a pastor with a passion for mobilizing members to share Jesus and, at the same time, "looking for an opportunity to serve in a church family with a vibrant youth ministry."
Goetz shared that José had his bachelor's degree in Theology and minors in public evangelism and biblical languages from Union College, Nebraska, and his Master's of Divinity (M.Div.) with an emphasis in youth and adult ministry and preaching. José's primary responsibilities include the youth, children, young adults, and media ministry.
Pastor Oswaldo Magaña, the Executive Secretary of the Ohio Conference, presented a ministerial credential to the new pastor. He said. "It is a privilege and a pleasure to grant you your credential, to be able to be authorized, to fulfill your duties as an ordained pastor here in the Centerville Church and throughout Ohio and the entire world." Pastor Oswaldo later prayed for José and his family.
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