Andy Johnson and Merle Beal Ordained
WISCONSIN – Rev. Andrew Johnson Ordained at LaValle AC Church
On Sunday, October 6, the LaValle AC Church in Wisconsin held an ordination service for Rev. Andrew (Andy) Johnson. The service was led by Rev. Jed Crouse of New Life AC Church (Baraboo, WI), a member of the North Central Conference Ministerial Committee. Rev. Ray Bezanson, chair of the committee, presented the purpose of ordination to those gathered. Scripture was read by Rev. Tom Moe from Magnolia AC Church.
Special music was performed by Andy’s daughters, Lindsay Gehin and Alexis Hurda, while Dr. Bill Norwood, Superintendent of CACMS, delivered the message. Rev. Jesse Stevens of New Life AC Church (Baraboo, WI) gave the charge to the congregation, followed by Rev. Dr. Mark Woolfington from AC Church of the Highlands (Lagrange IL), who led the charge and ordination vows for Andy.
Conference President Dave Wickstrum, from Magnolia AC Church, welcomed Rev. Johnson with the right hand of fellowship. The ordination concluded with a prayer led by Rev. Mark Brandel, a former pastor of Rev. Johnson, and a benediction from Rev. Bob Maeglin, a retired local pastor.
MASSACHUSETTS – Rev. Merle Beal Ordained at Community Church of Westfield
Merle Beal was ordained to Christian Ministry by the New Life Conference on Saturday, September 28. Dwight Dean preached the occasional sermon, Clayton Blackstone delivered the charge to the candidate and Steve Brown offered the ordaining prayer. Merle’s final Sunday in Westfield was October 20 and he will begin serving Emmanuel Church in Rochester as pastor of discipleship on November 3.