My name is Paula Vergowven, I am excited and blessed to serve as your pastor and I look forward to learning and growing with you! I am going to share a little bit about me.

I grew up in Maybee, MI and attended Dundee Schools. I played basketball and softball through middle school and high school. I still love the sports even though I do not play now. I received my Associate degree from Monroe County Community College, my Bachelor of Business Administration from Spring Arbor University, and my Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

My mom and dad are both retired and love to travel spend time with family. I have one brother who is married and has three kids with another on the way. I grew up in the United Methodist Church, my home church is St. Paul’s UMC in Monroe, MI. I am blessed to have an amazing and supportive church and people who taught me about the Bible, God’s love and grace, and Jesus Christ. I believe I have had the call to ministry throughout my life. When I was 19 months old, I was diagnosed with leukemia. God’s healing and treatment became the beginning of my call to ministry before I even knew it.

Growing up I knew I wanted to live my life for the Lord. Throughout my career I went through different job transitions and each one brought me closer to God and how God was preparing me for ministry. In 2012 I began taking lay servant classes and becoming involved in leadership opportuni-ties within the church. These included President of United Methodist Women, and serving on the District UMW committee, church lay leader, becoming more involved with Southeast Michigan Emmaus and Chrysalis. These opportunities helped me grow and have the courage to say ‘Yes’ to God and step fully into the call to ordained ministry as an Elder of the United Methodist Church. I believe it was being a lay person that has shaped who I am today and my call to ministry. I will bring the spiritual gifts of strong faith, leadership, compassion, administrative, shepherding and believe that laity and pastor work together to grow disciples of Jesus Christ and share God’s love and grace.

It is a blessing to be on this journey with you!

Pastor Paula