The key verses of my life and ministry are I John 4:7,11. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God….Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

At Good Shepherd and Open Arms, I am honored to work with an extraordinary group of dedicated leaders and staff. Their commitment to Christ and their enthusiasm for God’s people makes every day of my ministry an exciting adventure.

God challenges me everyday to grow deeper in my faith walk, to open my heart wider to people outside the walls of our church, and to experience more fully the joy and fulfillment of following Jesus.

We welcome Bill Farmer as our interim pastor appointed by Bishop Coyner. Pastor Bill will be serving on a part time basis for a period of six months until the new senior co-pastor arrives.  Pastor Bill and his wife, Donna, recently retired from 6 years of service at Taylor Chapel and are excited about helping with the ministries at Good Shepherd.  He will be in the office Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. You may reach him at 483-8816 or by emailing bfarmer@fwgoodshepherd.org.

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. My parent made sure that I, along with my three sisters knew about the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. We lived in Nebraska, where our country church taught the importance of making a commitment to God. I made this commitment, and in my teen years felt the call of God to enter the ministry.

I attended Kletzing College in University Park, Iowa, receiving my B.A. and major in Theology. While attending college, I was student pastor of two Methodist churches for three years.

I am married to Marge. We have four grown children, and blessed with grand children and great grand children. For many years, Marge and I have been sharing the love of Christ, through ministry and counseling.

After my retirement from the ministry, we visited Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for one and a half years. We found sound preaching, true doctrine, love and fellowship. We were lead by God to join this church, to participate and become involved.

I am very humbled, yet honored to be requested to join the devoted Staff of Good Shepherd. I join them with their enthusiasm to win souls.

God has been so good to me for so many years. I want to continue to minister of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and of His great love and compassion, and how very important they are to Him.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will do my best in fulfilling this commitment.

My Life Challenge has been, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" Phil 4:13