We are glad to welcome Pastor Keith Simmons as our senior pastor. Pastor Keith is a 2006 graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary and he and his wife Alice have served at Churches of the Brethren including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Pastor Keith was born and raised near Greenville, Ohio, was baptized at Oakland Church in Darke County then moved to Brookville, Ohio and became a member of the Brookville Church. Keith began his ministry in the Quaker Seminary, the Earlham School of Religion. During this time he met Alice at his workplace. He began his first pastoral service at the Poplar Grove Church between Union City and Greenville. Pastor Keith and Alice were married in Richmond, Indiana in 1981, where Sister Alice is from. Alice and Keith’s first move was to Windber, Pennsylvania near Johnstown, and served there for over four years. From there they moved to Franklin County, Virginia and served 10 and one-half years at the Bethlehem Church. In 2000, they moved to the Agape Church near Fort Wayne, Indiana where he served for six years and was able to finish a Master of Divinity Degree. Then they moved to Sebring, Florida and served at the Sebring Church of the Brethren until the end of 2011. Pastor Keith and Alice have no children, but love working with children and are happy to become a part of our ever blossoming youth program at Wakemans Grove.

Pastor Keith says he was called to ministry at his baptism and his pastor’s sharing what he thought were gifts of leadership. His vision for ministry is that he sees a variety of roles as shepherd of the flock: to lead it in spiritual growth, to feed the flock with spiritual food, to comfort those in the flock who need it, and challenge others, and to protect it from that which would do it harm. Pastor Keith believes in biblical preaching in a natural, open way while relating the message to the challenges of today.  People say that he helps them to make the scriptures relate to the needs of others in personal conversations and through group studies; care for the sick, grieving or others in need through visitation, prayer, and encouragement.  People appreciate him accompanying them in a crisis through active listening and gentle counsel.  They seem to like him helping them to grow in knowledge and faithfulness.  He also has a gift for relating to people of a variety of ages and backgrounds.  One church leader summed up Keith’s ministry in his church with, "You taught us how to love each other again."

Wakemans Grove Church of the Brethren is on a new spiritual journey. If you are looking for fulfillment in your life, we invite you to come be a part of our church and go on this journey with us as we enrich our lives with God’s love.