Gary Parmer, Line Lexingtongparmer@llmc.org
My name is Gary Parmer and I am the youth pastor at Line Lexington Mennonite Church. My wife Jane and I were youth sponsors at Line Lexington for many years, never thinking that I would someday be a youth pastor! I have never before felt God calling me into ministry, so this journey I’m on is about faith, grace, fear and a wide range of other emotions.Five years ago, over a span of three weeks, two people from our congregation approached me and asked if I ever considered being a Youth Pastor. When the first person asked this question, I said, “NO!” But I also said I would pray about it so I did (a little). I really had no intention of becoming a youth pastor. I was happy working at Landis Supermarket which I had been doing for 29 years. A couple of weeks later John King, who was our youth pastor at the time, asked me the same question.This time that question really scared me. Two people had asked me the same question in a short span of time. What is God calling me to do? I started praying a lot more.I have attended Line Lexington Mennonite Church all my life, and this was the first time I really gave everything to God. I prayed, “If this crazy thing is going to happen you have to make it happen!” I knew I couldn’t make this decision myself. I thought I was the most unqualified person to be a pastor. Why me?
I don’t like change. I had been at Landis’ for a long time and was very comfortable there. I had no schooling and felt I wasn’t educated enough to become a pastor. However, after reading scriptures it occurred to me that everyone God called into ministry wasn’t educated. People like Moses, Peter and all the disciples became real heroes to me. I couldn’t use the excuse of lack of education anymore.When John, who has been a good friend and mentor, left Line Lexington I interviewed for the youth pastor position. This felt really weird to me. This was my church not my job. But that wasn’t God’s time for me. The church hired someone else, to my relief!About a year and a half later our youth pastor resigned and I was asked again if I would consider becoming the youth pastor. After much more prayer I felt this was God’s time for me to make this change. This was not an easy decision, but God was indeed calling me. In April of 2005 I became youth pastor at Line Lexington.There have been a lot of bumps and things that I don’t like, but God has been so good leading me though the tough times. There also have been so many blessings. I know that I am right where God wants me to be.I really feel blessed to serve God this way. Youth really are my passion, and it has been an honor that they have let me into their lives this way. Youth ministry is about relationships and getting to know the youth inside and outside of the church setting.As I turn 50 this year and it seems harder to keep up this these kids, I know that God will lead me and help me, just as He has the last three years in youth ministry!Looking for a good group to cruise with on your motorcycle?Join Line Lexington Mennonite Church for their First Sunday Bike Rides which began on March 2, 2008. Every first Sunday of the month bike riders join Pastor Lowell Delp at the church for an afternoon ride. The monthly rides end in September with Line Lexington’s annual “Biker Sunday: Worship, Roast ‘N Ride.” This year’s Biker Sunday will be held on September 21, 2008. For more information visit www.llmc.org
