Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
96a-36
May 13, 1996
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Homeland Ministries announced the calling of two key leaders here May 10. The Rev. Roger W. Pierce, Killeen, Texas, has been named vice president of the Center for Congregational Growth and Vitality. Pierce has served since 1992 as pastor of Central Christian Church, Killeen. His background also includes twenty years as a Navy chaplain. "Roger Pierce's 19 years of congregational ministry, specializing in building vitality and spiritual depth in congregations as a basis for reaching out in evangelism, have prepared him well for this new challenge," said the Rev. Ann Updegraff Spleth, president, Homeland Ministries. Updegraff Spleth noted that Central Christian's worship attendance doubled and outreach giving increased markedly under Pierce's leadership. Writing is another of Pierce's gifts. In 1982, he published Transitions: The Gospel Speaks to Moments of Change. His work also appeared in Colorado Crossings, a fiction and poetry journal, and he has written a variety of book reviews and articles. Pierce is married to Sue Pierce. The couple have three grown children, two sons and a daughter. Homeland Ministries also named the Rev. Charles H. Webb, Jr., associate for black ministry. He will promote and nurture black ministry among Disciples, and shoulder recruitment responsibilities as well. Webb has served as pastor of Twelfth Street Christian Church, Washington, D.C., since June 1995. He also served as campus pastor at Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, Texas, director of the Tulsa (Okla.) Community Action Agency, and chaplain at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind. "Charles Webb, Jr., has a distinguished history and an even more exciting future in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)," said Updegraff Spleth. "We look forward to his work in promoting, nurturing and recruiting for black ministry in our church." Webb is married to Debra McNeil Webb. The couple have a daughter, 2, and an infant son. Both men begin their new assignments July 1, 1996.
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