COLCHESTER CHURCH WELCOMES NEW PASTOR, LOOKS TO FUTURE
Colchester Sun, 06/05/2008
Brent Devenney is a healer by profession. The soft-spoken, Louisiana native works as a nurse and he turns his attention to his spiritual flock as he assumes the duties of shepherding Colchester's Daybreak Community Church.
"It's more of a dual calling," said Devenney, 37, one day last week.
Devenney assumed the duties as lead pastor of the church recently, succeeding the Rev. Robby Pitt, who will now head a church in Burbank, California.
The church community plans to hold a farewell celebration Sunday morning for the Pitt family at the church's Creek Farm Plaza headquarters.
Devenney has ministered to parishioners who attend the church's weekly worship service for about nine years. He was there when the church was "planted" or started, holding its celebrations at Colchester Middle School.
Since then, the 100-member congregation moved its worship site to a 7,000-square-foot space off Roosevelt Highway. While not falling under any denomination, the church is affiliated with the Baptist Convention of New England, Devenney said.
Devenney, who is married with three children, lives in South Burlington. As he recalled his youth in the South, he noted the Louisiana town he called home was mentioned in the Hollywood blockbuster "Steel Magnolias." The family's link to the film continued when Devenney's brother appeared as an extra in the movie.
Devenney's path to ministry started when he became a Christian at age 20. Three years later, he began his studies for the ministry, he said. He helped start a church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but was anxious to try his vocation in another area of the country.
Devenney was a friend of the president of the Baptist New England Convention. The two discussed a move for Devenney to the Northeast.
"I wanted to move outside of the Bible Belt," said Devenney.
While Devenney takes over as lead pastor, he also is outlining his vision for the church, which includes raising funds for a traditional building for the congregation to call its own. "That would give us a sense of permanence in the community."
As lead pastor, Devenney is paid a $500 monthly stipend. His wife is a school teacher but is remaining at home for their children. He noted that he is not financially dependent on the church for his income. A registered nurse for 16 years, Devenney is a nurse-supervisor at the Vermont Cancer Center at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.
He said ministry work and nursing are interwoven. He first fell in love with nursing as a college student while pursuing his call to be a pastor.
"This wasn't an accident," said Devenney, referring to his two-tier career. "I discovered I was good at nursing. It's a good skill to have."
While committed to his faith, Devenney is careful not to push religion on patients. If a person is undergoing treatment and wants to discuss faith, he is happy to join in. "I bring up (God and faith) when appropriate," Devenney said. "When someone wants to share their faith, I'll bring (the ministry) up. It's a very personal thing."
While Devenney is settling in at the church, he looks forward to ministering to his flock. He wants people who may not have a church community to understand the importance of having a spiritual life.
He will participate in a series, "The Problem with Christians Is." The discussion will include perceptions that dog people of faith, including that religious people are narrow-minded and judgmental.
"The biggest challenge is one of the biggest values - what will we be in the community," Devenney asked. "It's also about making a difference in our community."
To illustrate his point, Devenney said members of his congregation helped on Marathon Sunday. Members also lent a hand with the Freedom Fund and will participate in the Relay for Life. He hopes the outreach to the community will appeal to others.
