Pastor Roger Abels recently retired after more than 40 years of GCI employment in pastoral ministry. Together with his wife Donna, Roger has pastored many GCI congregations, most recently in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Fort Wayne congregation hosted a celebration service honoring Roger and Donna on June 1. Pastor Jim Valekis from Ohio gave the sermon and Pastor Stephen Hill from Illinois led worship.
Roger has been replaced in the Fort Wayne church by Pastor David Howe who, with his wife Ann, also serves as senior pastor in the GCI congregation in Elkhart, Indiana.
Our thanks and congratulations to Roger and Donna and to David and Ann!
May God continue to bless and keep each of you as you being a “new” journey so to speak. We know that God is with you and will continue to be as HE promised to never leave nor forsake us. I love reminded people of Heb 12:2. Love and best wishes to all of you.
Going through retirement ourselves for 2015, we are aware of the variety of emotions that accompany such a major life change. Thanks for all the service over the decades since we had some college years together. May the future be good to you with the Lord’s favor.
JR & HBR