Rev. Dennis Sparks has entered into a covenant with Grace UCC to be our interim pastor. Below, is a brief bio. Please come say ‘Hello!’ this Sunday morning as he joins us on our journey.
The Rev. Dennis Sparks loves the Church of Jesus Christ. He has served as a pastor and interim pastor in congregations from several traditions, many different locations and various sizes. Additionally, he has served as an ecumenical leader within the Christian unity movement. On December 31, 2011 he retired as executive director of the West Virginia Council of Churches. Recently, he completed an interim pastorate with Trinity Lutheran Church in Charleston, West Virginia. His pastoral interim experience and training goes back to 1995.
Being raised in Columbus, Pastor Dennis is excited about the opportunity to serve Grace United Church of Christ in Lancaster. He has ordination standing with the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. He was raised as a participant and member the Broad Street Christian in Columbus.He graduated from Columbus North High School, where he met his high school sweetheart, Rebecca. The two have been married for 41 years. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren who live in Delaware, Ohio.
Pastor Dennis attended Columbus State University, graduated with a B.A. from Bethany College, West Virginia in 1971 and received his Masters of Divinity Degree from Texas Christian University, Brite Divinity School in 1974. He was ordained on January 5, 1975.