CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary MUNCY - Moreland Baptist Church welcomed Pastor David Guenin as Senior Pastor in residence since May 30. Joined by the Pulpit Committee, they are (front-left to right): Lucy Temple, Naomi Guenie (pastor’s wife), Janet Stackhouse. (Row 2): Committee Chair Howard Langdon, Pastor Guenin and Cam Koons.

Pastor David Guenin began his post at Moreland Baptist Church on May 30, 2021. After a five month period of settling in and becoming acquainted with the area, we asked his opinion of the surroundings. From the front steps of the parsonage, he looked toward North Mountain and said, “You think those are mountains, they are just hills compared to where I grew up.” Raised in Nevada, he was born in Indiana with family roots in southern Pennsylvania.

“This is my first Senior Pastorate, I fought God about it, but He won,” he said. Prior to this assignment, he ministered with children and youth, having himself grown up in the AWANA program. (AWANA is the acronym for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed). The program is widely available with emphasis on Bible memorization of scriptures, stories, and games. For 16 years, he worked with children in Allentown. He had been an assistant pastor and taught the young adult men’s Bible Class.

Pastor Dave, as his congregation calls him, graduated from Shasta Bible College in Redding, California, with a B. A. Degree in Bible and Theology and an M. A. in Christian Family Life Education.

In 2005 he married Naomi and the couple have two children, Gabriel and Julia.

The Pastor’s plans for the congregation is, “Reaching out to people and bring in new congregates. People are hungry for the truth and eager to follow through knowing the Lord has a plan for them.”

Inquiring as to which is his favorite scripture and hymns, he said, “II Corinthians 10:13, which deals with resisting temptation, something helpful to me in high school. My favorite hymns include “I Can Only Imagine,” and “In Christ Alone.“”

Some of the fun times have been seeing the making of apple cider, being a coach for his son’s baseball team , hiking, working on cars, and being tech savvy, using his 3D printer.

The church observed October’s Pastor Appreciation Month saying the following of their earthly leader: “We are so thankful to have Pastor Dave. He is a man that teaches carefully, preaches passionately, and models his faith consistently.” Following the previous statement, it was suggested to “Make an opportunity to spent time talking with him if you haven’t already.”