New Emmanuel Baptist pastor follows in his father s footsteps
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
When Josh Wesner was born in Tacoma, Wash., his father was an electrical engineer but later decided to become a minister.
Wesner also felt called to the ministry. He was installed Jan. 22 as the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Marion.
Wesner's family lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., while his father attended the North American Baptist Seminary.
They then moved to California. When Wesner was a sophomore, they moved to Ellinwood, where he graduated from high school.
He married his high school sweetheart, Lisa, in June 2002. Both are 2001 graduates of Sterling College.
After graduation, Wesner served as youth pastor at First Christian Church in Great Bend for two years while Lisa taught school.
They moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., in the fall of 2003, where Wesner attended his father's alma mater. He graduated in December.
The couple has purchased a home in Marion. They have a one-year-old daughter, Abby.
Pastor Wesner conducted his first church service Sunday.
"I've been looking forward to this for a long time," he said.
Although the Wesners have lived in Marion a short time, they already have fallen in love with the town.
"We love it here," the minister said. "People are friendly, and the town has a lot of character."
Wesner is taking over a congregation with an average Sunday morning attendance of 100 to 110.
