[Grace UCC News] Meet the candidate

[Jim Clausing]

Note, this was written before the reschedule.

March 12, 2020

Blessings and peace Grace UCC,

My name is Keith McDevitt. Although we have never met, I have enjoyed
getting to know you through conversations with your search committee. My
wife and I are looking forward to candidating weekend on April 25-26 where
we can properly meet face to face. Until then, I want to give you a brief
introduction to my story and call to ministry.

I grew up in Hudson, Ohio, attending Bethany UCC in Cuyahoga Falls. Church
was my second home. I felt safe to be my true self, and there is no greater
feeling than that. Bethany UCC emphasized the importance of a faith that
cannot be separated from helping our neighbors in the community. It is an
expression of faith that has greatly formed me to this day. To experience
and know God's love is to share and receive it from others. From an early
age I felt God's call to ministry, but I was first led to pursue an
education degree.

I attended Bowling Green State University, earning my teaching degree with
a minor in history and political science. At BGSU I met my wife Jessica. I
followed her to Johnstown, Ohio where we both taught at Northridge School
District. While I was teaching, God's call grew louder and we both decided
Eden Theological Seminary was our next adventure. In three years I earned
my Masters of Divinity and was hired as a Pastoral Intern at St. Paul UCC
in Columbia, Illinois, which is where I continue to serve 2 and a half
years later.

Through it all, the most important person in my life is my wife Jessica.
She is my best friend, and the one who nurtures and sustains me. Because
she loves me, I know God loves me deeper than I can ever know. With great
joy we are expecting our first child at the end of July and we are looking
forward to being parents. Keep us in your prayers!

Outside of church, I enjoy hiking, playing sports, reading, playing drums,
guitar, and piano. In the summer of 2018 Jessica and I hiked 180 miles on
the Appalachian Trail, and we hope to continue to section hike the trail
throughout our lives. I am also an avid Cleveland baseball fan and have
many fond memories of watching games with friends and family. My hobbies
are endless, and I am always looking to try new things.

I look forward to sharing more about my vision for ministry, and listening
to your stories and questions on April 25-26th . Thank you for your time
and blessings until we meet.

Blessings,

Keith McDevitt
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