New pastor wants to fill 'God-shaped hole'
Wells takes helm at Community United Methodist Church
The Rev. John Wells, the newly appointed lead pastor at Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove, told parishioners who packed the 10:30 service Sunday morning that he likes to begin his sermons with a song.
That's because singing and playing his guitar in the Methodist church of his youth in La Crosse was the only thing that kept him attending services, he said.
That is, until his conversion experience, which occurred 35 years ago when he was 19, he said.
"It was Lent, and the only reason I attended the service that day was because my mom signed me up to sing," he recalled. "While there I heard people offering testimonial about their relationship with Jesus and it kind of struck of chord - no pun intended - and it was incredible. Afterward I began to see the world differently.
"There was an internal change. I knew I wanted to help people embrace the faith I had found."
Wells was recently appointed to fill the void left by outgoing CUMC Pastor Ron Retherford, who retired this year after serving at CUMC since 2002.
Wells, 55, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and earned his master's of divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Following graduation he served in several small rural congregations in Wisconsin. Wells served a 600-member congregation in Fort Atkinson for the last 15 years.
He is married to Julie, his wife of 33 years. They have three adult children.
One of the challenges of his work is to lead members to a greater faith, he said.
"People have plenty of material things but many of us of go through life with a God-shaped hole ... and I'd like to help people find a relationship with a living God to fill that hole," Wells said.
"My hope is to do the best I can to help people grow in their relationship with God."
Wells will minister to the 600-member congregation with Associate Pastor Janet Hartzell, who was recently appointed to serve full time.
Dean Johnson, chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, said the congregation is excited about the new pastoral leadership team.
"Rev. Wells brings some fabulous teaching and preaching talents and we feel these talents, coupled with Janet Hartzell's strengths, will help us fulfill our mission to invite, nurture and serve," Johnson said.
Meet the pastor
Community United Methodist Church, 14700 Watertown Plank Road, will hold special services every Thursday at 7 p.m. through Aug. 26 for members to meet the Rev. John Wells. For information, call (262) 782-4060.
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