I’ve
been a lifelong resident in South Eastern York County. I graduated from Kennard-Dale High School
which is part of the South Eastern School District.
My
family was active in the then Methodist Church.
I grew up in Prospect UMC and took the membership vows of commitment
after going through Confirmation Class.
Prospect UMC is linked with Crossroads UMC and makes up the Gatchelville
/ Crossroads Charge in the southern part of the York District.
Throughout
my childhood and high school years I was very active in the church family. I was very involved in the MYF (Methodist
Youth Fellowship) and was Sunday School Superintendent starting at the age of
twelve. I learned to appreciate and
thirst for God’s word by reading the scriptures daily to prepare the devotions
for Sunday School. I was an officer in
the youth group throughout my teenage years.
At
the age of twelve I began working on Maple Lawn Farms, Inc. in New Park. They were involved in orchard and small grain
production. Out of high school I became
the production manager for the small grain operation and was very involved in
the workings of the orchard. I was
employed with them for more than twenty-five years. During this time I began to pursue God’s call
and grow in my faith.
Around
1980 I became a Lay Speaker in the York District. God opened many doors of opportunity for me
as a Lay Speaker. I had many
opportunities to fill the pulpit and teach Sunday School throughout the York
District. During this time I was a Youth
Leader for Prospect UMC and Crossroads UMC.
I also became active in Lay Witness Missions throughout Maryland and
Pennsylvania. My involvement in LWM was
as a witness, but also as a Youth Coordinator.
In
January 1989 I went on a working retreat with the United Methodist Church to
Cuernavaca, Mexico. That experience
changed my life and that year I met Jean.
We were married in September and she became stepmother to my son, Drew. Drew was five years old.
In
1995, God called me to be a part-time pastor at Potosi Mt. Zion in Glen
Rock. During that time I continued
working on the farm for one year. Then
needing to cut working hours, I worked at a Car and Truck inspection station as
a mechanic and service manager in New Park.
In 1999 I was called to full-time ministry and began pastoring at Mt.
Nebo / Mt. Olivet Charge. Mt. Nebo is in
Delta, and Mt. Olivet is located near Fawn Grove. During my appointment at Nebo / Olivet, I attended the Course of Study at Wesley Theological
Seminary. I completed the Course of Study
at Wesley in July, 2004.
My
life has been one of discovering the wonderful guiding hand of God upon my
life. With prayer and excitement I look
forward to walking the path God has planned in the years to come.
--Pastor Dennis McCleary, "PD"
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