WE WELCOME OUR INTERIM PASTOR JOHN POPE

Our Session has extended a call to the Rev. John Pope to serve as our Interim Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of DeBary, Florida.

Rev. Pope  is an experienced pastor, teacher and spiritual leader. He is a graduate of Yale University Divinity School (M.Div.) and Union Theological Seminary, New York City (S.T.M.). He also holds degrees in Education (M.A.) and Leadership Development (M.A.)

At the outset of his ordained ministry career, Pastor John served parishes in New York and New Jersey. During that time he was endorsed for ministry in the military by the Presbyterian Church (USA). Pastor John then entered the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps Reserve, serving sailors, marines and their families, which led to active duty and a twenty-two year career. Pastor John retired from the Navy in June 1999 (CAPT, USN), returning to his native Florida and serving another six years as installed pastor in a local Central Florida Presbytery church.

During that time he entered the Doctor of Ministry program (Gospel and Culture track) at Columbia Theological Seminary (Atlanta, Georgia) and is now in his final year of that program. He also completed the required certification training for practicing interim ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA), subsequently serving a congregation in that capacity as Interim Pastor. When that congregation called its new pastor, Pastor John's interim ministry came to a very successful "beginning!) Following a little rest with family and friends this past December, the Lord then sent him to us!

We welcome Pastor John to First Presbyterian Church.