Kraig and Shirley Christensen hand over reins of Family Praise Center to their children
WRITTEN BY:
IPHC STAFF
Rev. Garry Bryant with Bill and Lesia Clark
After three decades as Family Praise Center’s senior pastors, Kraig and Shirley Christensen are still surprised by how fast the years have flown by and say they are ready to enter the newest season of their lives. Family Praise Center is located in Cottage Grove, Orgeon and the church is in the Acts 2 Day North West District of the IPHC.
On Sunday June 15th, 2014, they concluded 30 years of full-time ministry at FPC. Acts 2 Day director, Garry Bryant, was on hand for the retirement and to help install Pastors Bill and Lesia Clark as co-pastors. Bill and Lesia are the daughter and son-in-law of the Christensens.
“It’s been a privilege and an honor to serve the community for the past 30 years,” Kraig said. “I love to preach, yet it’s time for the next generation to lead the church. Our plans are to retire from pastoring but not from life! This will afford us more time to write Christian mystery books, visit loved ones, fish and be in a supportive role to other churches.”
The Christensens are thankful for the milestones they acheived during their tenure as FPC’s senior pastors. Some of these achivements include paying off the mortgage, building the PowerHouse Children’s Ministry, and organizing the “Behold The Lamb” Easter production.
Kraig and Shirley are confident their successors will take the church further than they have. The younger pastors say they are ready to recieve the FPC leadership torch with grateful hearts filled with hope for the future.
“Bill and I are excited about the future of FPC and the opportunity to serve our congregation and the local community,” Lesia said. “We are grateful to my parents for their love and support and thankful for their example of faithfulness, hard work and devotion to God.”