Goodrich- As the new pastor of the Goodrich Assembly of God church, Paul Kleindl wants to give hope in troubled times.
‘We’d like to reach out to the community and bring a message of hope to people during these challenging times our nation is facing, and let it be known everyone is welcome here,? said Kleindl.
The 49-year-old Auburn Hills resident delivered his first sermon as pastor of the church located at 10216 Huron Street on Sept. 13. Previously, Kleindl had preached a few summer sermons here as a fill-in for Interim Pastor Faith White. Kleindl earned a master’s degree in 1993 from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo. and previously served as senior pastor at the Calvary Gospel Church in Arlington, Va.
About nine years ago, he returned to Michigan and worked in the automotive industry while he and his wife of 26 years, Rebecca, raised their family. The couple’s five children are Joshua, 23, Sarah, 21, Hannah, 17, Nathan, 13, and Michael, 10. He remained actively involved in church life, serving in various leadership capacities at the Auburn Hills Christian Center prior to coming to the Goodrich Assembly of God. The small country church has a congregation of about 30 and has been without a full-time pastor for nearly a year.
‘We came here because this church needed a pastor and we’re here to minister,? said Kleindl. ‘The folks in this church have lived in the community for many years and been a part of caring for the community, and we want to build on that tradition? bringing a message of hope and peace through Jesus Christ.?