January 2, 2015 at 3:43 p.m.
Grace Foursquare Church welcomes new lead pastors
Grace Foursquare Church welcomes new lead pastors
By Kayla Thomason-
Messerli has been involved with the church for 24 years, 20 as senior pastor. Although his time at the church has been very rewarding, he decided it was time to step down.
"I have sensed a change coming for several years," Messerli said of his decision to retire. "While I have many more years of fruitful ministry in me I knew it needed to take on a different form."
The decision to step down made, Messerli began the process of finding a new pastor.
"We look for people who love God and people," Messerli said. "People who are foremost followers of Jesus who hold to his word and teaching and practice."
The Fehlens have impressive resumes. Christy is from Rhinelander and grew up going to Grace Foursquare Church. Joseph is from western Wisconsin where he attended a different Foursquare Church.
"They're familiar with the culture and the climate and the people," Messerli said.
The Fehlens became licensed pastors with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 2002.
They served at LIFE East Bible College in Virginia, as associate pastors at Mill Creek Foursquare in Washington, and as lead pastors at South Everett Foursquare in Washington before getting a call that brought them back to Rhinelander.
More than three years ago Messerli offered them a tempting position as lead pastors in Christy's hometown.
"We were not looking to leave Washington or our position but got a call from Pastor Bob Messerli to see if we would be interested in coming on staff at Grace Foursquare," Joseph said. "So we didn't pick nor were we looking for a new job, but the church picked us."
Joseph has been on staff since then. He is very involved and well known in the community.
He is the middle school cross country running coach, the public address announcer for the Hodag football games and has published two books: "Punching the Mancard," a book about hunting in northern Wisconsin; and "Ride On," a full-length book about Jesus and motorcycles.
Members of the church were notified three months ago that the Fehlens would become the new pastors.
"I think overall people of the church are doing very well, it's an adjustment," Messerli said. "Change is always hard, especially when things have been the same for a long time. Some people have adapted more quickly, others take longer, so the majority of people are doing, I think, really well."
Joseph feels the transition is going well too.
"As transitions go, this is going really well because people have had three years to know who I am and what I am like," he said. "The changing of roles from the associate might be a bit of a jump for some because in that role I was serving the vision and purpose of the previous pastor."
Messerli is pleased with the decision to bring the Fehlens into the church.
"We've been trying to transition for quite some time and I'm very thankful for Joseph and Christy Fehlen," Messerli said. "It's very fulfilling to be at this point and to be able to have them take the baton and it's their turn to run the race."
Joseph said he is very thankful for Messerli's help and faith in them.
"Pastor Bob have been extremely gracious during this process and have taken a great step of faith in stepping aside as the lead," Joseph said.
As lead pastor he will be responsible for most of the speaking, oversight and leadership development of the church, Joseph said.
Christy, who is a special education aide at Crescent Elementary School, won't have extensive day-to-day involvement with Grace Foursquare. She will help where she is comfortable and when time allows, he said.
"The most challenging thing about being a pastor is that at any given moment you are communicating and interacting with people that have been in the church their whole life and expect certain things right alongside another person that has no clue about who Jesus is or what the church is about," Joseph said. "So it can be difficult trying to reach and care for multiple types of people at the same time. It is like having a message you want to get out and you just can't do it one way. It is the same message packaged in 30 different boxes."
Grace Foursquare is involved in and offers many things to the community.
Those who rely on Ruby's Pantry don't have to worry about any changes with the program as the church shifts hands.
"I look forward to continuing our work with others in the community to bring this much needed help that Ruby's Pantry offers," Joseph said.
There will be some other changes such as a new associate pastor who will focus on the children. His name is Dustin Black. He is from the Newton Foursquare Church in Iowa and will be in Rhinelander Jan. 5.
Julie Wilcox will take on more tasks and responsibility with the children in the pastoral care areas.
Messerli will still make an appearance now and again as he will remain available should the new pastors need assistance.
He said he will miss the close relationships he has forged with the leaders and people of the church during his many years of service.
"I have grown to love our church family and community at large and it has been an honor and privilege to have served in this community for 24 years," he said.
Grace Foursquare has had only one senior pastoral transition in 50 years. Bob Anderson served for 30 years before Messerli.
There will be an installation service Jan. 4 at 10:15 a.m. with a lunch to follow.
For more information, visit Grace Foursquare Church's website is www.gracerhinelander.org or www.foursquare.org.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.