Our Student Pastors

Pepperell UMC is a part of the Auburn Wesley Cooperative Parish - a network of 5 UM churches in relatively close proximity to Auburn University where college students and those just out of college have the chance to explore ministry in the local church in very hands on sorts of ways. This year we have two new student pastors serving with us. I'd like to introduce them...

Meet Wesley Rhodes!

He just graduated with a degree in Sociology at Auburn University. He is an intern at Wesley as well as serving in the parish at Gold Hill & Pepperell UMCs. His dad is a United Methodist pastor serving in Mobile, AL. So he grew up in the UM church and is excited to be able to serve the local church in this way because of how much it has invested in him throughout his life so far! Also he's friends with Cam Newton!

Meet Leo Gonzalez!

Leo is finishing up at Auburn University this year. He's studying sociology and intends to enter Law Enforcement upon graduating next spring. He is from a military family and so has traveled all over the world but calls Enterprise, AL home. That's where he graduated High School. Serving others has always been a passion of his and is something that he has been able to do through the Wesley foundation here in Auburn and through his years of experience with Alabama Rural Ministry - which has it's office space at Pepperell UMC. He is really excited to have the opportunity to serve as a student pastor and look forward to the experiences and relationships that will be formed in the year ahead!

We celebrate the opportunity that we have as a part of the Auburn Wesley Cooperative Parish to invest in the lives and vocational formation of young adults, like Wesley & Leo, who have heard God's call and are learning to say, "Here I am."

We sit in the place of old Eli, who helps young Samuel learn how to respond faithfully to God's call and to live a life in service to God through the local church. (See 1 Samuel 3)

Thank you for your love, support and prayers for our student pastors!

-Rev. Tony Jeck

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