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New pastor installed in Boardman

BOARDMAN — First Covenant Church welcomed its new pastor earlier this year but because of the coronavirus pandemic, the church congregation had to wait until this month for his official installation.

Pastor Kendall Churchill was installed last Sunday by Great Lake Conference Superintendent Garth McGrath.

Churchill was selected from 14 applicants for the pastor position to fill a retirement opening.

The church is the combining of members from the First Covenant Church and Faith Community Church, which closed last year.

“It is an exciting time. The church has so much potential. Both congregations were coming from some notable transitions,” Churchill said.

The First Covenant Church had Pastor George Lee serve for 15 months as interim pastor. He was a retired Methodist minister from churches in Canfield and Austintown.

Churchill’s first Sunday was Jan. 31.

“I love the building, especially the sanctuary. The beautiful chapel, the stained glass and the huge ceilings. Everyone has been very welcoming,” Churchill said.

This is the first time in Ohio for Churchill, who previously lived in Minnesota, Chicago and Washington state.

“It is all new territory, but it has been good so far,” he said.

McGrath said what makes the installation special is Churchill is starting with two congregations that have come together as one.

“Members of two churches joined their hearts together to become one church. You all have inspired me. It is very encouraging. It feels like I am witnessing a miracle,” McGrath said.

McGrath said the installation was the first public event he has attended in person since November 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

He said while Churchill may have started at the church earlier this year, the installation officially acknowledges he is the church pastor.

A committee of representatives from both churches began a nationwide search in 2020 for a pastor.

“The church has been blessed by your presence. You inspire them to be more like Jesus. They are putting their trust in you as the shepherd of God’s flock,” McGrath said.

Members of the congregation presented Churchill with a Bible and other gifts welcoming him as their pastor.

Churchill has been part of the ministry of First Covenant Church since January.

Churchill earned a Biblical Studies degree at Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, Alberta, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and biblical and theological studies at North Park University, Chicago, and a Master of Divinity and certificate in congregational vitality

at North Park Theo-

logical Seminary, Chicago.

He and his wife, Tracy, have been married since 2012.

A reception was held for Churchill outside the church following worship.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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