We are excited to announce our new pastor, Rev. Dr. Charley Reeb!
We are excited to announce that Bishop Berlin has appointed Rev. Charley Reeb as the Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. Rev. Reeb is not a stranger to our church; he served as an Associate Pastor from 1999 until 2003. Charley and his wife, Brandy, were married in 1999. She is a graduate of Georgia Tech, where she was a tennis team member, and Charley is a graduate of Florida Southern College. They are the parents of Paul, a small replica of Charley. We are delighted to have this young family be a part of our family here in Lakeland.
The Reebs have been serving at John’s Creek United Methodist Church, a very large and healthy congregation. It is in the greater Atlanta area and is one of the fastest-growing churches in our denomination. Before going to John’s Creek, he was the pastor of Red Bug Road United Methodist in Orlando. From there, he went to Pasadena Community Church in St. Petersburg. He has published several books on the art of preaching. Brandy and Charley are excited about coming home to First, Lakeland, and we welcome them with open arms and with our love and prayers. His first Sunday will be July 9, 2023.
Rev. Riley P. Short, Interim Senior Pastor
Charley Reeb, The Right Pastor
If you are like me, you have been praying about the next Senior Pastor. Some have shared their aspirations for that pastor. “I hope we get the best,” is often said. Of course, “the best” is often a matter of personal taste and preference. More important than our personal desire is asking God to send us the “right pastor.” God knows what opportunities and challenges will be before us and the right pastor for those times is most important. And I believe that Charley Reeb is the right pastor for this time in the life of First United Methodist Church. Charley is not a clone of any previous pastor, nor should he be. Charley is himself, unique, gifted and passionate about ministry as a United Methodist Pastor. And he knows this church well, having served previously as an Associate Pastor.
Charley loves to preach and he is uniquely gifted as a preacher. He has been a teacher and mentor to many preachers, inspiring and encouraging the listeners to deepen their faith, discipleship and relationship with Christ. And, Charley loves to laugh.
He understands well the gift of joy and is infectious in sharing that gift. His joy is a reflection that Charley has a lot of joy in his life, especially with his wife Brandy and son Paul. I am grateful that the Florida United Methodist Cabinet and Bishop spent an extraordinary amount of time, all the while praying, in finding and appointing the next Senior Pastor to this church. I believe that focused on one goal, to find the right Pastor. I am grateful they found Charley. It is time for us to turn our focus to praying for Charley, his family, our church and the wonderful opportunities before us. It’s time, once again, to tighten our seat belts as we serve the Lord in partnership with the “right pastor.” I look forward to Charley being my pastor.
Peace,
David McEntire, Previous Senior Pastor