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Local pastor brings humor, personality to the pulpit |
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Wednesday, 27 December 2006 |
Staff photo/ Annie Linder
Joel and Robin Chambers say their desire is to bring younger families
into the church they pastor, Maranatha Assembly of God.
By ANNIE LINDER
Staff Writer
The Maranatha Assembly of God typically caters to an older, smaller demographic of between 45 to 50 parishioners - one that was in danger of slowly dying out.
During the past several years, church members started reaching out to a younger crowd - and parishioners largely attribute that change to the tireless enthusiasm of senior pastor Joel Chambers.
"Our biggest mission is bringing in younger families," Chambers said on a recent evening at the church while a handful of children rehearsed songs for the Christmas Eve play. "There was such a need to reach them so this church would survive."
Chambers said he tried to accomplish this in many ways - with upbeat music, positive messages - and a healthy dose of humor.
"If we don't come out laughing, I feel I've done some something wrong," he said.
Building upon issues from daily life, current events, and even his passion for sports, Chambers said he tries to make his sermons relevant in the real world. He tries to reach out to others in unique and often unconventional ways - once breaking into some impromptu football plays with his parishioners during a sermon on teamwork.
"It's all about building relationships with people," Chambers said. "Often churches get disconnected from the community, and we need to become relevant again."
When Chambers was elected senior pastor on Oct. 11, 2004, - his 26th birthday - he was already a familiar face to the parishioners. Having grown up in the church under the guidance of his parents, Chris and Pete Chambers, he had been the sole youth member there for years.
A few years after graduating from Wapakoneta High School in 1997, Chambers said he felt called to become more involved with the church he attended all his life.
Heeding God's call, he began teaching Sunday school, ministering to the sick, and assisting the late Rev. Jozsef Farkasdi with regular duties. By age 21, he was an active board member.
"(Farkasdi) gave me a bunch of wisdom and took me under his wing," Chambers said. "Between him and God, they were my biggest influence in becoming senior pastor when the position opened up."
A few years after Farkasdi's death in 2000, Chambers "decided to see what God had in store" and began a home study course to become a pastor.
With a full-time job and a family, Chambers said he knew his daily schedule was busy, but he was determined to devote himself to the church.
"All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose," Chambers said, summarizing one of his favorite Bible passage from Romans 8:28.
Now 28, he continues to work full-time as a subcontractor for T & D Interiors, a flooring and laminant company, while also raising his two boys, Zach, 8, and Aaron, 6. His wife Robin, 29, works in billing for St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. She is a native of Waynesfield.
High school sweethearts, the two married nine years ago.
Parishioners said the young couple is "just what the church needed."
"They're a really neat family," parishioner Connie Kiser said. "Joel is funny and warm and caring - just everything a pastor should be. He loves to joke with people and always has an ear and a shoulder for you.
"He will come to your home and pray or pray over the phone with you," she added, recalling a time when she suffered from a long-term illness and Chambers called her nearly every day. "He always made me feel like I was still a part of the congregation even though I couldn't go to church."
Fran Moyler said she and her husband, Bob, have known the Chambers since Joel was a baby and are delighted to watch him lead the church.
"He has very good ideas to make you feel like you're a part of everything," Fran Moyler said. "The fact that he's young and has young ideas really helps, because a church is built on young people. He's moving in the right direction." |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 December 2006 )
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