When Rev. Jeremy Africa steps in as the new pastor of the Goodrich United Methodist Church on July 11 there may be some natural jitters.
‘God will see me through,? said Africa. ‘This is my first time as pastor of a church’I’m excited to get to know the community and see just what all the needs are here in Goodrich.?
A Flint native, Africa ordained ministry through his involvement in a number of conferences? youth ministries – in particular, Chrysalis and the summer camping ministries at Lake Louise and Bay Shore Camp.
After graduating from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, Africa served as the youth director at Christ United Methodist Church in Fraser and Utica United Methodist Church, in Sterling Heights as well as the associate director of youth ministries at First United Methodist Church in Birmingham.
‘The mission trips I served on with the youth throughout the country was eye-opening,? he said. ‘The trips down to Pascagoula after Hurricane Katrina was life-changing for us all. It’s all about faith, culture and context.?
Jeremy and his wife Kaura met and were married while both were enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Kaura graduated from ATS with a master of arts degree in counseling in May 2004, while Jeremy graduated with a master of divinity degree in May 2005. For the past several years Kaura has worked as a child and family therapist for Community Mental Health in Midland.
Following seminary, Jeremy served as an associate pastor in appointments to First United Methodist Church in Plymouth and First United Methodist Church in Midland prior to his appointment to the Goodrich United Methodist Church.