Meet the new kid on the block, er, pastor on the pultpit

NETCONG — The Stanhope United Methodist Church has a new kid on the block, or rather a new man in the pulpit. The Reverend Thomas Kinter is the new pastor at Stanhope United Methodist Church in Netcong. Following the retirement of Pastor Harry DeKolf, who served the congregation and the community in outreach programs for the last seven years, Kinter was appointed to the Stanhope congregation. He had previously served the Pennsauken United Methodist Church in Camden Couty. Kinter admits to feeling all the anxiety that comes with a move, “I thought about Abraham. God saying to his servant, pack up, leave he family and familiar, and follow me. Follow to a land I will show you,” said Kinter. “I knew Stanhope was the next community God wanted me to serve.” Kinter adds that not only was the move spiritually challenging, but also personally, as is any move a person makes. “With any move it means new doctors, barber shop, auto mechanic, and being two hours from the grandchildren,” said Kinter. Kinter began his pastoral ministry in June of 1972, shortly after graduating from Asbury College in Kentucky. Throughout his career, Kinter together with his congregations, has strengthened Sunday school and youth groups. He has been instrumental in developing vacation bible school and bible study programs. He developed mission programs, which included various trips, and outreach programs to serve the community. Personally, Kinter has served as a member on mission work teams to Ecuador, and Columbia, S.A and to the Methodist Red Bird Missionary conference in Kentucky. “In the community I’ve also been a coach for youth football and soccer for 14 years. I’d also like to add that I’ve never missed church or a game in all of those years,” he laughed. Kinter remembers the exact time he got the calling to serve. “It was during a revival service at the Browns Mills Methodist Church. I was in the eighth grade,” said Kinter. “I was given many opportunities to lead our youth group and preach sermons during my high school years and throughout the summer when I was home from college.” Kinter plans to continue his connection with the youth by running both youth and adult spiritual retreat weekends. Kinter encourages and welcomes the community to check out the “New kid on the block” as he jokingly refers to himself. “When we give a listening ear and willing spirit to God he will show us what is to be accomplished with the congregation and within the community. We need not only to nurture the church family, we need to know how we can help our community family as well.”