First Christian Church, Flora, Indiana

At the congregational meeting Sunday, May 31, 2009 which started at 4:00 p.m., Flora First Christian Church called Herbert “Woody” Slade to serve as pastor. The meeting included a time of introduction, presentation and comments by Pastor Woody, a time of questions and answers, and a fellowship dinner. Following dinner, an official vote was made.

78 members voted, with 75 voting “yes”, 2 voting “no”, and one abstention, for a 96% affirmation. Pastor Slade, known to most as  Woody, accepted the call and expressed his excitement to begin ministry in Flora.

Woody is currently the pastor of First Christian Church in Rochester, Indiana. He is married to Barbara who is a fourth grade teacher in the Rensselaer school system. They have a son, mark, who is married and the father of 2 children residing in Chesterton, Indiana. Woody is a graduate of Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky and Lexington Theological Seminary. He has also served Bethany Christian Church, Evansville and First Christian Church in Rensselaer.

Pastor Woody previously shared “The mission of the church today begins in worship and continues through all aspects of being a living expression of God’s love. The church needs to be a place of love, forgiveness and service. We are to reach out to those in need and at the same time, challenge ourselves to grow and to learn.” Pastor Woody’s first Sunday in the pulpit will be August 2nd.

We  welcome Pastor Woody and Barbara, and look forward to joining with them in ministry here at Flora First Christian Church!