Ottawa church welcomes interim pastor

A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man temporarily is filling the shoes of the pastor of a local church.

Gary Gall has been serving as the part-time, interim pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Ottawa, 401 W. 13th St., since late November.

“It’s a very nice, friendly town,” Gall said of his impression of Ottawa.  

Gall works Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

“I’m helping get things ready for a new, permanent pastor,” he said.

Parish assistant Cliff Burke describes Gall as energetic, and said he does a good job of relating life to scriptural messages.  

“I think the people and the congregation are relieved to have someone steady so that they can get accustomed to his style and his preaching,” Burke said. “He brings life to the scriptures through his stories.”

Westminster had been without a pastor since April when Kent Mathews renounced his ordination. Mathews has been serving as the pastor of Grace Community Fellowship, which worships at Washburn Towers, 506 S. Main St., since May.

Prior to Gall’s appointment, the church had guest preachers, Burke said. The next step in the search for a full-time, permanent pastor will include discussion among the congregation on the type of pastor members want.

Burke said that process could take several months.

Herald staff writer Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.