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Pastor Stan and Mac Powell of Third Day

Who is Pastor Stan?

He grew up in little towns in North Dakota where his father was a pastor. His most formative community was Wyndmere; a town with less than 500 people. During his 10 year's there, Stan played basketball, enjoyed tennis, and learned to play the violin.

Where did Pastor Stan go to school?

Stan received his Bachelor's Degree from Ft. Wayne Bible College in 1982 and his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Seminary in 1988. He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry at Gordon-Conwell

What ministry was Pastor Stan involved with before coming to Plymouth?
Before coming to Plymouth, Stan served three churches. He was in Lowell, MA for over 7 years; Lincoln, RI for 10 years;, and in Northbridge, MA for 5 years.

Stan was the founder of Habitat for Humanity in Lowell. He has also been a very active volunteer at his children’s schools. In 2003, Stan received the Denman Evangelism Award for New England.

Tell us about Pastor Stan’s family.

Stan and Regina were married in 1982. Like Stan, Regina grew up in a small town in the Midwest (Pleasantville, OH). She and Stan met at Fort Wayne Bible College where she graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies. Stan and Regina have two boys. David is a music major at Otterbein College in Westerville, OH. Todd goes to school in Plymouth. He loves baseball, playing the guitar, and his reptile collection!

What does Pastor Stan do for fun?

Stan loves playing tennis, reading, listening to jazz, and working in the garden. Stan and David coached Todd’s Little League team in 2007. Pastor Stan also loves Contemporary Christian Music and attends as many concerts as possible. Some of his favorite singers/groups are Third Day, Casting Crowns, The David Crowder Band, and tobyMac.

Pastor Kevin relaxing while talking with a few friends

Tell us about yourself.
I am a native Floridian (born in Miami) who attended High School in Southern California (El Camino Real High)… and I wouldn’t live in either place again! Though, I do miss the warm sun during our long New England winters. Sharon and I got married in college. We have three daughters: Aili, Megan, and Mara.

What “non-churchy” things do you like to do?
Almost anything outside (that isn’t work!). I love the water. I have been an avid canoeist since I was a boy. I bought my favorite canoe, a Wenonah Echo, over 25 years ago when Sharon and I were living in central Oregon. That boat has been paddled from the bays of the Pacific Northwest to the Atlantic coastal estuaries of the Northeast. Although I don’t have a lot of experience sea kayaking – a situation I plan on remedying now that I live in Plymouth – I have built three wooden sea kayaks. Not only did they float – they looked good!

I also like to read about the water. I am really into nautical fiction, particularly historic nautical fiction that is set in the wars between England and France from the late 18th century to the early 19th century.

What’s your favorite book?
The Island Within by Richard Nelson. Sharon has lots of disparaging things to say about that book. It’s definitely a “guy in the woods thing.” The book was written by an anthropologist who moved to a very isolated place on the rugged coast of Southeastern Alaska. Once there he falls in love with a wild island several miles offshore. Great nature writing! Lots of powerful, well-written prose about the island and the sea… and lots of non-mushy, guy-type, soul-searching stuff – what’s not to love?

How long have you been a pastor?
I’m thinking of giving up on the “pastor” word outside the walls of the church in favor of “spiritual guide.” There’s just so much baggage associated with telling people you’re a pastor. Conversations go something like this, “So, what do you do?” “Well, I’m a pastor.” “Oh, I’d better watch my language.” But if you tell people, “I’m a spiritual guide” they’re curious; “What’s a spiritual guide?” they ask.

In answer to your question I have been a pastor/spiritual guide for sixteen years. Like Pastor Stan, I went to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Theologically I draw from lots of wells. I feel great affinity with huge parts of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox spirituality. I’ve studied Christian spirituality and spiritual formation at several schools, including Boston College, Weston Jesuit Theological School, and Northwest Nazarene University.

I’ve pastored several churches in New England, both in the United Methodist Church and in the Evangelical Free Church. From 1999-2005 I also worked with a group of folk planting a new church in Dighton, Massachusetts. That was a lot of fun. We worshipped for several years in an American Legion Hall before we purchased an old farm and dramatically transformed a dairy barn into a church.

One of the truly life and spirit changing experiences I have had was through a movement called the Walk to Emmaus. Sharon and I have been very involved with the “Emmaus” since 1992. I have also been serving as the Community Spiritual Director of the Southern New England Walk to Emmaus for about five years. If you are curious check them out at www.sneemmaus.org.

What do you see yourself doing in ministry at the Plymouth United Methodist Church?
I feel called to help people grow in Christ; both people in the church and outside in the broader community. Inside the church I want to work to build up our small group ministries. I feel a special burden to work to teach people how to be intentional about developing one on one discipling and mentoring relationships. Outside the walls of the building I want to make connections with people where they are living their lives. And I want to offer the spiritual hope and succor which is found in Christ alone.

Plymouth United Methodist Church • 29 Carver Road • Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 746-1642 • email:pastor@pumchurch.org • © 2008 PUMC