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Ward A. Rudolph |
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Pastor
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This is Ward's first call as a Pastor. He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (PCUSA). He holds a B.A. in Philosophy. Ward grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago and is a lifelong Presbyterian. Being a Pastor is a second career for him. He is also a trained chef and worked for five years as a cook. He returned to school to pursue a degree in Hotel/Restaurant management and then worked for twelve years as a hotel and restaurant manager in and around Chicago.
Ward tells people this about his sense of call to ministry, "I'm told that our minister came into my class one Sunday when I was seven years old. After class he came up to me and asked, 'Ward, have you ever thought about becoming a minister?' I replied like any other seven year old, 'No...I've never thought about that!" But this question started me on a lifelong journey. All the way up until I graduated high school I just assumed that I was going straight to seminary. That is until I worked in a restaurant. I've loved cooking my whole life. It got into my blood and then so did hotel and restaurant management. But a sense of call to ministry was always there. Around ten years ago, I was working with the junior high group of my home church. I was working six days a week and then working with the youth on my day off. I realized that working in the church was more important to me than my job. so, I quit my job, worked two jobs for two years to save money for seminary, and at the same time got myself enrolled into seminary. And here I am."
Ward enjoys reading, walking, playing with his two cats Bill and Ted, refurbishing his home, and entertaining friends. He loves baseball and truly likes living in Springfield.
He says of his first year in ministry, "I have learned so much about pastoral ministry...most of it by trial and error. If I've had any success, it's because God placed me here with this loving congregation. Many people say that their church is friendly. I think what they are often saying is, 'We're friendly to one another.' This church, however, is the friendliest church that I've ever encountered. I love this congregation and feel that God has blessed me richly by calling me here. |
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