CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH – OCTOBER 2026

Nominate your pastor TODAY!

 

*We will be sharing the list of winning pastors on this webpage throughout the month. Keep checking back to see the wonderful comments about our local Pastors.*

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Congratulations to the winning pastors of Week #2 of Clergy Appreciation Month.

Each of these pastors will receive a $25 gift certificate to The Alcove Restaurant and a $25 gift certificate to Road Hog Willys. They will also receive a WNZR Goody Bag!

 

All nominated pastors will be put into a drawing for a GRAND PRIZE for Clergy Appreciation Month! At the end of the month, we will award FOUR overnight stays in a standard room at the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel (Each stay is valued at $189)!

 

Pastor Jeff (Bo) Fry of Utica Baptist Temple

Pastor Fry was nominated by Linda Boggs.

Linda shared these comments:          
His love for God, his family and his church family is so clear.  We are a small church that welcomes all that walk through the door.  Pastor Bo reaches out to help so many whether it be basic needs or spiritual.  He would never give up on anyone.  As a soul winner, he reminds us to never be a Heaven Hog, to share the word with everyone as whenever possible. He watches for any chance to share his testimony and lets everyone know that salvation is free for all who ask for it no matter their past.  He also reminds us that we are all sinners, and God still loves us and wants the best for us.  Pastor Bo has had some health issues lately, but he knows the Lord is not done with him yet and he pushes on.  We all love and appreciate Bo and his wife Cindi.

           

Pastor Jerry Ernst from Cornerstone Community Church in Fredericktown

Pastor Ernst was nominated by Robin McClay.

Robin shared these comments:          

Pastor Jerry is a true disciple of Jesus and His word.  Every week, his sermons inform us and challenge us.  He prays sincerely for our congregation and takes time to check on those who are in need.  Pastor Jerry is present at our many events, often wearing silly costumes for the occasion.  He encourages our church leaders with practical leadership skills and holds us (like himself) to high standards of excellence.  We are a stronger church body with Pastor Jerry as our shepherd.
 

Pastor Matt Otto of Faith Baptist Church in Mount Vernon       

Pastor Otto was nominated by Scott Campbell

Scott shared these comments:

Pastor Matt has served his congregation for over 25 years.  He is there for whatever you need, whenever you need him.  He is not only a Pastor; he is also a good friend.

 

Pastor Stewart Oswalt of New Life Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon

Pastor Oswalt was nominated by Alec MacDonald

Alec shared these comments:

Stewart is a great pastor because he helps people get connected at church and makes everyone feel welcome.  He made time to meet with me and pray for me when I needed direction.  He looks for me every Sunday and makes me feel like I belong.

 

Pastor Dorse W. Davis from the Old Country Church in Howard

Pastor Davis was nominated by Zella Melick

Zella shared these comments:
Our Pastor is loved for his vision of restoring the Old Country Church building and the grounds that had not been maintained and had been closed for several years.  He was led to renovate and reopen the building and to begin worship services, where he had attended church as a youth and as an adult.  He took on this work of love alongside a handful of family, friends and very little financing.  The Old Country Church is a non-denominational congregation and is Bible based.  Pastor Davis begins services by encouraging everyone to be a part of the service whether it be sharing their testimonies, prayer requests, praise reports, or a gospel hymn.  Pastor Davis was instrumental in bringing back a place of worship that opens it's doors to the community and offers inclusion and love to everyone.

 

Congratulations to the winning pastors of Week #1 of Clergy Appreciation Month.

Each of these pastors will receive a $25 gift certificate to The Southside Diner and a $25 gift certificate to Burrata Woodfired. They will also receive a WNZR Goody Bag!  

 

All nominated pastors will be put into a drawing for a GRAND PRIZE for Clergy Appreciation Month! At the end of the month, we will award FOUR overnight stays in a standard room at the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel (Each stay is valued at $189)!

 

Pastor Doug Pummell of Mulberry Church in Mount Vernon  

Pastor Pummell was nominated by several members of his church - Denise Campbell, Sue Pummell, Jim and Amy Ferguson and James and Denise Justice.

Denise shared these comments:        
Pastor Pummell is very involved with all aspects of the church. He is involved in the community and service to community.

           

Sue shared these comments: 
Not only is he an amazing husband, father and grandpa...He loves his church family and is always ready to lead them, pray with them, and support them!  He is always looking for ways to reach out to the community, bring folks into the church, but most importantly he wants to spread the love of Christ.  He wants to reach the lost and bring them to Christ. To know God as he knows God - Savior, Creator, Master, Emmanuel, Protector just to name some of His names.

           

Jim and Amy shared these comments:          
Pastor Doug preaches Biblical Truth and has a desire to see people come to know the Lord.

James and Denise shared these comments:   
Pastor Doug makes everyone feel welcome at Church. When a Homeschooling group needed a place to meet once a week he   helped them be able to use our church. He also added a Thursday night worship/prayer service and meets with the men's group on Monday mornings each week

 

Pastor Richard Allen Hite from The Church On The Rise in Mount Vernon  

Pastor Hite was nominated by his wife, Jeanne Hite.

Jeanne shared these comments:        

First of all, he is my husband of 56 years.  We were married when I was 18 and he was 19.  He went to Vietnam one week after we were married and I did not see him again for two years.  We have been born again Christians since we were married and in November of 1997, Richard received a calling to preach the Word.   He attended seminary at Mansfield Christian College and graduated in 2006 after five years of attending.  He worked full time at Ariel and served as the Pastor of The Church On The Rise the whole time until he retired in December of 2015.  He is the head of a large food pantry in Mount Vernon and started this outreach in March of 2007.  He is a very dedicated, hard working man who is loved by many.  He preaches the Gospel from front to back and never misses an opportunity to help others. Richard served in combat in Vietnam and as a result and exposure to agent orange he suffers from diabetes and its other issues.  It does not stop him.  He loves the Lord, and he loves serving others whether it is pastoring at a funeral or a wedding, he is true to his calling.  Most of all, all ages love this man and constantly tell him "We have your back Pastor".  He is more than deserving of being honored.
 

Pastor Joshua Lehman of Mount Vernon Baptist Temple in Howard    

Pastor Lehman was nominated by Jesa Smith

Jesa shared these comments: 

Pastor Joshua is so kind and caring! And I love how he welcomed our family with open arms when we joined the Church at the beginning of the year! Pastor Joshua also makes sure everything he does and says has scripture to back it up! I love that about him! Thank you, Pastor Joshua, for all that you do for our church! It has been such a blessing!

 

Pastor Dave Jones of Millwood Church of Christ in Howard

Pastor Jones was nominated by Nancy Rey

Nancy shared these comments:         

Pastor Dave is an amazing minister. He is a wonderful example of what it means to truly love Jesus. He is an incredible blessing to our church and to the community. He truly lives out our church theme of "Love Like Jesus, Live Like Family". He loves Jesus with his whole heart and it shows in his preaching, his service, and his daily life. He is a wonderful example of a husband, father, and a neighbor- faithful, humble, compassionate, and always pointing others to Christ.
 

Pastor Kevin Bell of Brandon United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon

Pastor Bell was nominated by Bonnie Beeman

Bonnie shared these comments:        

Pastor Kevin Bell is a true sincere man of God. He is a great leader and preacher.

His sermons are Bible based and inspiring. He loves each one of us and is a servant for God and for our church family. He is a big blessing to us!!!!