March 28, 2024

St. Luke UMC welcomes new pastor

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St. Luke United Methodist Church welcomed a new pastor this month as the congregation embarks on a new journey.

Reverend Chad Jennings and his family made the decision in April to move to Newton. Jennings replaced Rev. Audrey Young who was with the church for 10 years.

Jennings was a pastor at Christ Community Church in Marion before he was asked if he would serve in Newton.

“They gave me about three or four days to think it over,” Jennings said. “It wasn’t a hard decision.”

Jennings grew up in Carlisle and has been in the ministry for 15 years.

“I grew up going to a United Methodist Camp. I went to many years in a row,” Jennings said. “The pastor who founded that camp was a pastor here in Newton before he came to Carlisle. Through the course of many years of going to that camp, I grew closer to God and knew He was calling me to something different,” Jennings said.

Jennings said he had plans to go to school to be an engineer but God had different plans. That’s when Jennings said yes to becoming a pastor.

Jennings received an undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa in communications. He then went on to study at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City and earned a masters degree in divinity.

“I think it’s a really great job because no day is the same,” Jennings said. “You get to do different things all the time. I might be writing in the office one day and then out visiting people the next,” Jennings said.

Jenning’s family consists of his wife, Wendy, of 21 years, their 16-year-old son Nathan and their 14-year-old daughter Abby. They will be attending Newton Senior High School this fall.

“One of the great things that has happened for my kids is they went and learned how to march with the band for the Fourth of July parade, so they got to meet some people,” Jennings said.

Jennings said he enjoys the size of Newton and the feel of small town living.

“The people of St. Luke Methodist Church have been awesome,” Jennings said. “They’ve been really great by telling me they are excited I’m here.”

Jennings said his future plans for the first six months to a year are to get to know everyone in the church.

“They have a lot of great ministries in the community and it’s my goal to be well known in the community for what we do,” Jennings said. “We just had a really successful Vacation Bible School here with 82 children.”

Jennings said he is looking forward to ministering in the women’s prison in Mitchellville and serving at the Trinity United Methodist church in Des Moines.

Jennings hopes to connect with the community through his hobby of cycling and participating in local bicycle rides. Jennings said he also will connect with locals during high school events, as he plans to form a teen-based ministry and program.

“St. Luke Methodist is a really caring church community, and I’ve seen them welcome new people already. It’s a great place for people to explore their faith,” Jennings said.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6513 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com