Sun Feb 12 2012
by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson -- United Methodist Church received a new senior pastor, the Rev. Larry Marshall, July 1 after the retirement of former senior pastor, the Rev. Louis Diehl.
"This is a wonderful place," Marshall said of his new pastorate. "We have a good team here."
Marshall said his goal is to build on what already exists at the church: a variety of groups and Bible studies provided for all age groups and dedication to mission outreach.
"This is a very mission-oriented church with a wide variety of groups and Bible studies. It's meeting the needs of all ages," Marshall said.
Marshall has been in the ministry for 32 years. An Ohio native, he graduated from high school in Warren in 1966. He earned a bachelor's degree in education at Bowling Green University and began teaching at Cortland High School in 1971. After spending six years there teaching physical education and health and coaching football and baseball, he said God called him to the ministry.
Marshall, who graduated in 1980 from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware with a master of divinity degree, has served in several pastoral positions in Ohio.
He served as senior pastor of Church Hill United Methodist Church from 1994 to 2002 where he was honored two consecutive years as Pastor of the Year by the Youngstown District Lay Speakers. He also served at Leroy Methodist Church, United Methodist Church in Ashland, Kilbourne United Methodist Church and Canaan United Methodist Church.
He comes to Hudson after serving as district superintendent of the Methodist Church's Western Reserve District, overseeing 68 pastors. He also served as dean of the cabinet under Bishop John Hopkins.
Marshall and his wife of 32 years, Rosemary, also served 10 years as a leadership team for World Wide Marriage Encounter.
Dr. Gary George, assistant to Bishop Hopkins of the Eastern Conference of the United Methodist Church, said Marshall was appointed to the Hudson pastorship because of his breadth of experience and spiritual gifts.
George said the conference tries to match as well as possible the needs of the church and the gifts of the minister.
"Number one, Larry is a very fine preacher," George said. "He has the warmth and ability to relate to all people."
George said Marshall's breadth of experience, including his years as a high school teacher and coach, make him an excellent choice for pastoring the church.
"He is an excellent life coach," George said. "The Hudson church has received an excellent pastor."
Marshall also is an avid runner and sports enthusiast.
Marshall and his wife of 32 years, Rosemary, have three grown children: sons Erik (Amanda), and Joel, and daughter, Lauren (Brandon) Richardson. Their oldest son, Erik, also is an ordained minister in the Methodist Church.
Hudson United Methodist Church, 2600 Hudson-Aurora Road, has a congregation of 700.
Summer services are Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. September through May worship services are at 9 and 11:15 a.m. with Sunday School classes at 10 a.m.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3943
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