New Pastor at St. John
St. John United Methodist Church
Welcomes New Pastor
On June 26, 2008 the St. John United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia will officially install Dr. Brent L. Ward as its new pastor. Dr. Ward will replace Dr. C. Robert Allred, who served as pastor at St. John for two years and recently retired after forty years of active service in the ministry of the North Georgia Conference. Dr. and Mrs. Ward will be welcomed by the church membership at a luncheon reception to be held in their honor at the church immediately following the Sunday service on June 29th.
Dr. Ward received his BA in Psychology in 1987 from Central College in Pella, Iowa and his Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling from Boston University School of Theology in 1990. Between 1991 - 2002 he studied at Georgia State University for his MS in Community Counseling and his PhD in Counseling Psychology. He later did his Doctoral Internship at the Center for Counseling and Development at the University of South Carolina.
Prior to taking the position as Pastor at St. John United Methodist Church, Dr. Ward was the pastor at the Jodeco Road United Methodist Church in Stockbridge, Georgia since 2003. From 1999 to 2002 he served as Associate Pastor at the Griffin First United Methodist Church in Griffin, Georgia. From 1994 – 1998 he served at Pomona United Methodist Church also in Griffin and previously on the Lamar Circuit at Aldora UMC and Ebenezer UMC in Barnesville.
He grew up in Newton, Iowa (home of Magtag Corporation) and considers himself an avid sports enthusiast and dedicated Iowa Hawkeye fan. Although he enjoys ministry with all ages, he has worked enthusiastically with the youth at his different churches and is filled with wonderful ideas and hands on experience to encourage their participation. He is the current Director and founder of the Georgia chapter of Summer Games, a United Methodist youth camping concept . Summer Games includes athletic games, contemporary Christian music, drama, worship, discipleship and positive Christian role modeling.
Dr. Ward and his wife, Laurie both feel Christianity should be fun and are looking forward to leading the members of St. John United Methodist Church and its surrounding community into a new adventure of growth and discipleship.
