Special to the Leader & Times
After 36 years of service to the United Methodist Church, Pastor Brad Bennett and his wife, Jayne, are retiring to New Mexico. Bennett has been the head pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Liberal since July 1, 2020.
Jayne volunteered her time with the Southwest Medical Center Auxiliary. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women and participated in a book club, Bible study, and community choir.
Pastor Brad is a trained musician, and his vocal talents were on display at care centers and weekly services. He was also active in many organizations including the Liberal Ministerial Alliance, Rotary Club of Liberal, Seward County Development Corporation, Liberal Coalition of Families, The Seward County Local Health Equity Action Team with the Communities Organizing to Promote Equity University of Kansas Medical Center, Genesis Family Health Advisory Board and the Liberal Community Choir.
“Pastor Brad and Jayne have led our church through challenging times including the COVID shut down, changes within our church, and major repairs in the historic church at 116 W. Third Street,” church member Bret Irby said. “Their calm, professional demeanor was a much-needed influence to tackle difficult times.”
Bennett also worked closely with church leader Susan Lukwago.
“We believe God calls pastors to churches, at least I do,” Lukwago said. “We believe God’s timing is perfect, at least I do. Brad and Jayne heeded God’s calling to the First United Methodist Church in Liberal. They served with us at the right time, and I trust they were just what we needed to get through the disaffiliation vote and come out on the other side. For me, it is sort of like Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, wandering through the desert and getting to the edge of the promised land. Now the next pastor, our Joshua if you will, will take us into the promised land. But we could not have done it without our Moses, Pastor Brad. So, thank you for saying yes to the call of God, Pastor Brad and Jayne. May you continue to bless and be blessed.”
Church member Elizabeth Irby also had supportive words for Pastor Bennett.
“I sought guidance and understanding over the last several years,” Elizabeth Irby said. “With Pastor Brad’s knowledge of the Bible, his ability to listen for God’s word, and his dedication to the UMC Book of Discipline for more than 40 years, he helped God’s plan happen for the First United Methodist Church in Liberal. Thank you, Pastor Brad Bennett, for your support, guidance and friendship over the last four years. I pray God continues to bless and keep you safe in retirement.”
Pastor Bennett wished the church well on his departure.
“Personally, at the advent of my retirement, I am so very glad for God’s gift of faith to know the good, good news of Jesus Christ, to have confidence in things I cannot comprehend, to trust in the guidance of the Spirit I cannot see, so that somehow, someday, someone, someway, will breathe resurrection into what I have already offered as a simple gift to life,” he said. “I pray the faithful of First United Methodist Church in Liberal will continue to trust God’s spirit to guide the congregation through uncertainties toward a future that is filled with immeasurable faith, hope, and love.”
