In May 31 issue, Russell County News
By Greg Wells
Managing Editor

Jamie McCormack is pastor of Jamestown Church of the Nazarene. He and his flock have a special day planned for the church’s anniversary this year, and it involves his father.

Pastor Jamie it seems went into the “family business,” in a manner of speaking.

His father Pastor Ron McCormack served at the same church from 1978 to 1983 with his wife Karla and they are returning for this homecoming celebration.

“This was really dad’s first ministry,” McCormack said. “The Lord lead me here as my first church as well.”

The timing of the church’s homecoming celebration will have a special connection to the elder McCormack.

“It will be exactly 30 years from the day he gave his first sermon as pastor,” said the present pastor.

It was in that very same pulpit that Ron McCormack gave that first sermon.

“We have special plans for that event,” Jamie said.

This church wasn’t always the large, strong church that it is today.

“When dad came to Jamestown the church couldn’t afford to pay much,” Jamie said. “Dad pumped gas at a local gas station.”

But there were benefits to that, he said his father got to know more of the community at the gas station than he would have just working at the church.

That seems to have paid off, the younger McCormack pointed out.

“The church doubled in size during the time he was there,” he said.

It was in Jamestown that he gained his passion for the calling.

“I absolutely loved Jamestown and growing up in the parsonage,” Jamie said. “I was able to be with dad as he did his visits. Through that I grew to love the ministry.

“And to be back to the place where dad had such a vision for the church…” Jamie trailed off smiling.

He said the celebration at the church will begin at 10:45 a.m. on June first. There will be the preaching, special recognition of the elder McCormack as well as a dinner on the ground to follow. The McCormack family will be performing a special singing.