Photo by Amy Cherry United Methodist Church Pastor Chris Kindle is looking forward to serving the St. Marys congregation, one that he finds welcoming and compares to a large family.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

   Although only living in St. Marys for two weeks, the United Methodist Church’s newest Pastor Chris Kindle said the city is an easy place to get use to. 

  “The church is incredibly warm and friendly. It already feels like home,” Kindle said.

   The 37-year-old pastor moved here with his wife Jan of 14 years and their 3-year-old daughter, Sophia.

   As a pastor for the past 10 years Kindle was assigned to Concord United Methodist Church in Sewickley, located outside of Beaver Falls and at Good Shepherd Church in Leeper for five years.

    Kindle explained that typical assignments within the church last for approximately two years. He was appointed to the St. Marys church in March and visited twice to become more acclimated to the area.

   As a native of Erie, Kindle attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he received a bachelor of science degree in criminology.

   “I had the desire to want to serve and protect people. God challenged me to protect people internally,” Kindle said. “I like the people and the relational aspect of my job, particularly being invited into families during times of a joy, during a birth or baptism or during a crisis, such as a death or sickness. It is humbling in a sense.”

   Kindle then attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. for five years where he received a Master of Divinity.

   While serving in St. Marys, Kindle said that he will “continue to build on the foundation that’s here,” specifically by striving for the congregation to be a family and invite others to be a part of the family.

   “I want to reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Kindle said.

   He added that he particularly enjoys the idea of serving evangelism such as willing to do things for others without expecting something in return.

   Among the challenges of being a pastor, Kindle said is maintaining a balance between his family and ministry.

   “I want to keep my wife and daughter a priority,” Kindle said.