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From Maine To Florida, Pastor Finds His Calling

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

The Rev. Allen Archer, with his wife, Terry, is the new pastor of Community Church of the Nazarene in Ruskin.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

RUSKIN - A small church with a big heart is about to commemorate its denomination's 100th birthday. And some would say what better way to celebrate than with a new pastor.

The Community Church of the Nazarene welcomed the Rev. Allen Archer to lead its 85-member flock Sept. 14. One of his first duties is to prepare for the centennial.

The church will feature Royal City and the Boys gospel band at its 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. worship services Oct. 5, with a luncheon in between.

"The theme for the day will be Celebrating 100 Years," Archer said.

He and his wife, Terry, came to Florida from East Millinocket, Maine. He formally began his ministry in Walpole, Mass., in 1991, and then served congregations in China and then in Maine. Archer said he felt the call to ministry as early as 1969, but it took him awhile to fulfill it.

The couple met at a Nazarene Church in Bangor, Maine, in 1986 and married several months later. Both had been married previously and each brought children into the marriage. Their blended family included four daughters and two sons.

Graduates of the University of Maine in Bangor, both became teachers. Archer taught special education in high school, and Terry went into elementary education.

"I supported myself through college by tending bar and singing in a rock 'n' roll band," Archer said.

During the summer months, the couple traveled throughout New England, performing skits at church camps and vacation Bible schools.

"We've always had a partnership in his ministry," Terry said. "Our faith is the core of who we are."

At the Ruskin church, Archer wants to attract more families with children and diversify the congregation.

"We want to be a multigenerational and multicultural church," he said. "And we've found the people here are very willing to participate."

The Church of the Nazarene has roots in Methodism, which is drawn from the teachings of John Wesley. The denomination was founded in Pilot Point, Texas, in October 1908.

"We're about sharing the teachings of Jesus with the world," Archer said. "We're an evangelistic, Bible-based church."

"God has made such a difference in our lives, and we truly believe we were called to this place at this time," Terry added. "The Bible provides a wonderful moral compass for us, our congregation and the community."

"We want to share that message," Archer said.

GET TO KNOW

WHO: The Rev. Allen Archer

AGE: 64

WHAT: Pastor of the Community Church of the Nazarene

WHERE: 501 Second St. S.E., Ruskin

EDUCATION: bachelor's in education from the University of Maine, 1979

RESIDENCE: MiraBay

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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