New Nazarene pastor arrives for Christmas

By BETH MOLAND

News-Gazette reporter

Winchester's Church of the Nazarene received an early Christmas gift when Rev. Danny Hines and his family arrived in early November. Besides the normal challenges of taking on a new church, Hines has the added project of dealing with a sanctuary under reconstruction.

A collapsed ceiling caused severe damage to the main building several months ago and the church had to improvise by holding services at their Fellowship Center.

"The problem was a weakened truss causing ceiling tiles to fall and revealing a structural problem," Hines said. "We are still in the evaluation process, but we are moving forward by talking to engineers about the next step."

Some might consider such a large undertaking on his agenda would deter a new leader, but Hines considers it a positive challenge.

"The building issue has been a bonding thing," he said. "The people have been willing to embrace the move to the Fellowship Center and it's, definitely, cheaper to heat than the church."

Hines arrived from Ames, Iowa, where he served for four and a half years as senior pastor. His early religious training started in his hometown of Mount Dora, Florida, outside Orlando.

"My first role in ministry was as choir director, but the 'call' (to ministry) was before that," Hines said. "I knew I would I do something in the church. I thought I would get into the music ministry, but God made it clear this is where I should be."

A bit reluctant to full-time preaching at first, Hines said he, eventually, realized "His desire became my desire." Admitting it had been a process to his current appointment, he said his previous positions included associate pastor, youth, music, and full-time ministries.

"I embraced full-time ministry, but it was a growth to get to the point that I was willing to take the sacred assignment behind the pulpit," he said.

For now, his make-shift pulpit in the fellowship center/gymnasium will suffice nicely while waiting on the renovated sanctuary. Besides tackling the facility issues, Hines said his long-range goals consist of offering new ministry opportunities.

"We are a multi-generational church with multi-generational needs," he said. "Our church body spans nearly an entire century with our oldest church attendee at nearly 100 and our youngest at four months. Therefore, we must meet the needs of the entire church and the community."

His short-term goals are basic at best - to love the people and love the community. Hines said his hope is to find ways to reach the community with the love of Jesus, even with his church's limited worship and educational space. Possibly, his music ministry will be the key to achieving his desires.

"I'm a musician," he said. "I play trumpet, piano and bass guitar. I was part of a jazz combo at Olivet."

Olivet Nazarene University is where he received his bachelors and masters of arts in religion. He also met his wife Amber at college and made several connections to Winchester that have only recently surfaced. Each of those ties has helped Hines, his wife and children Caleb, Levi and Madelyn make the transition to their adopted city a little smoother. Clinging to one of his favorite Bible verses, 1 Corinthians 9:16, also offers inspiration.

"I would say I have 10 or 15 favorites, but that was the verse that was the confirmation for me to preach," Hines said.

To wish a Merry Christmas and welcome Hines and his family, Church of the Nazarene is located at 403 S. Main St., Winchester and the number is (765) 585-1831.