Marshall
Presbyterian Church folks are excited to welcome Reverend Melissa Upchurch as
their newly installed pastor.
Although
she has most recently moved from Dallas, Texas, Reverend Upchurch grew up in
Fayetteville, Arkansas so she feels at home in the mountains.
Pastor
Upchurch has a BA in journalism from the University of Arkansas and her Master
of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist
University. Of her past career as a
journalist, Melissa says, "I have discovered much to my delight that the
skills I employed in communications work have transferred nicely to ministerial
work. I believe I have found the point
where my joy in work intersects with a need in the world . . . ."
It
was Melissa's concern for the needs of the world which impressed members of the
committee selecting Melissa to serve in Marshall, "We were intrigued with
Melissa's expressions of very concrete ways that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can
make a difference in society, the daily lives of people, and in God's creation,
our environment and animals."
The
Presbyterian Church, PCUSA, has had a long history in Madison County. Between 1893 and 1994 sixteen schools and one
hospital were maintained by the mission boards of the Presbyterian Church. Marshall
Presbyterian Church members strive to continue that history and do as Christ
commanded, "Feed my sheep."
