Announcing Aaron Perry, Our New Senior Pastor

February 5, 2025 | Uncategorized, KSC News

Since May 2023, King Street Church has been asking God to send a new senior pastor to walk alongside us in discipleship and service.

In August 2023, we met every Thursday to pray as part of our 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting. During this critical step we humbled ourselves in confession, united before God in obedience, admitted our desperate need for the Lord, and yielded our personal opinions.

On November 7, 2023, our senior pastor listing went live with Chemistry Staffing, and the practical portion of the search had begun.

Then we waited. And waited.

It hasn’t been easy, has it?

As the months passed, Pastor Steve repeatedly described our future pastor as our “David in the field.” It was a reference to the prophet Samuel’s search for God’s choice for Israel and it spoke to our commitment to wait for God’s choice — His best choice — for us.

As we announced on Sunday, the wait is over. Rev. Dr. Aaron Perry has accepted the position of Senior Pastor here at King Street Church.

The process through Chemistry Staffing is thorough, involving several rounds of vetting and interviews before the candidate is even presented to us. After our leadership reviewed his packet, they met him for an interview via Zoom. Then Pastor Aaron came here to Chambersburg to meet with our pastoral team, Personnel Relations Commission, Board of Administration, and Elders.

The Lord was moving in the hearts of our decision-makers throughout Pastor Aaron’s visit. When the Board met to discuss their thoughts about him — although they were aware that another quality candidate was available for consideration — they made the unanimous decision to extend him an offer.

More about Rev. Dr. Aaron Perry

In 2003 Pastor Aaron received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Kingswood University. Two years later he completed a Master of Arts in Theological Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. In 2015 he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership, with a Focus on Ecclesial Leadership, from Regent University.

Pastor Aaron is currently the director of Wesleyan Academic Initiatives for The Wesleyan Church, as well as interim pastor at Sweetser Wesleyan Church. His previous roles include seven years as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Leadership at Wesleyan Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

He has also pastored in local churches for more than a dozen years, where he obtained experience ranging from Pastor of Discipleship to Lead Pastor. He has shared an affection for God’s people: “I love God and I love the local church.”

Pastor Aaron is a published author of several books, articles, and reviews. Just a few of the titles include “Kairos Care: A Process for Pastoral Counseling in the Office and in Everyday Encounters” and “Lay Leadership: For the Care of Souls”. Both his studies and his subsequent professional pursuits show a passion for organization, leadership and discipleship within the body of Christ.

Brian Mace, Chairman of the Personnel Relations Commission:

“I had the privilege of participating in or observing most of the interviews the search team conducted with Rev. Dr. Aaron Perry. Rev. Perry’s achievements and abilities are impressive. He has expressed his clear calling back into full-time ministry. He and Heather have a deep love for and commitment to the local church. They are both personable and passionate. After a weekend of in-person interviews with Aaron and Heather, the search team gathered on January 20th to decide next steps. The Holy Spirit’s presence and leading was obvious. It was a tremendous blessing that we were able to leave that meeting with a unanimous decision to invite Rev. Perry to be our next senior pastor. I look forward to our congregation having the opportunity to welcome the Perry family into our King Street family.”

Meet the Perry Family

Pastor Aaron and his family have Canadian roots, and they now live in Indiana. It is going to take a few months for him to conclude his ministry there and move to Pennsylvania; his official start date will be June 1, although he plans to visit with us to preach a few times before that. (See the Messenger newsletter, in lobbies on February 16, for an update.)

Pastor Aaron is married to Heather. Fun fact: Heather’s uncle is Dr. John Beukema, who was a senior pastor here at King Street from December 2005 through January 2014. Aaron and Heather have four children: Emma Beth, Wesley, Donovan, and Dorothy. Also a beloved family dog named Sugar! Pastor Aaron enjoys music, movies, hockey, and reading and storytelling. Heather has a great heart for children’s ministry, and their family enjoys serving in the church together.

Pastor Aaron Perry:

“We felt welcome, support, and friendship right from the start of our onsite weekend. I also sensed deep care for the church, hope for its future, and commitment to its present from the leadership, including the pastoral staff, Personnel Relations Commission, Board of Administration, and Elders. Truly, we sensed God’s Spirit forming relationships with Christ.

“King Street Church has a rich history and I believe its best days are ahead. I believe that God will continue to honor King Street Church and the men and women whose faithful service tells God’s story in KSC’s ministries. I am humbled, grateful, and so excited for the opportunity to lead and serve the church alongside you and the excellent pastoral staff.”

Join us in celebrating God’s faithfulness to us in answering our prayers! Let us also thank Him for preserving our church family and God’s ministry here over 18 months of waiting.

Please pray for Pastor Aaron, Heather, and the Perry family as they transition to a new life in Pennsylvania, and a new season of ministry with us. And let’s look forward, together, to the best days ahead.

“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.”

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