CCF says goodbye to Pastor Belzer
Alex Boles
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
The Campus Christian Fellowship will say goodbye to Pastor Joe Belzer in July as he takes on the role of head pastor at a new Kirksville church called The Crossing.
The church also has a facility in Quincy, Ill. that will be in charge of the financial dealings with the new church, Belzer said. He said they are negotiating for the old shoe factory in the south part of town to be the location of the church.
"Actually, it's kind of exciting to think about for the community of Kirksville," he said. "As a campus ministry, you kind of focus on college students, so it's been kind of exciting to think about a church that could integrate students and people from the city."
Belzer said he had been in contact with the church in Quincy and decided that what it represented was exactly what he wanted to pursue. He said he was attracted to the contemporary style of The Crossing.
"I think a lot of people see the church as irrelevant to our culture, you know," Belzer said. "Some people see it as a little outdated. ... I'm excited to step into a church that is like, 'Hey, this is 2008.' The music represents 2008, even the artwork - everything represents, you know, that this is today."
Belzer said his departure will affect his family and the community and that he has received a variety of responses about his new job.
"I think in some ways it will be better for my family," he said. "They're really excited about it, about it integrating other families and the church environment. ... Some [people] are really excited for us, you know, that we have this opportunity. Some are really sad when they think about the changes it will have for CCF, so I guess it's probably a wide spectrum."
Belzer has worked with CCF for 24 years and said the organization is looking to hire someone to take his place. He said CCF most likely will replace him with a current staff member and hire another person to help out.
Women's minister Megan Hand said she does not think Belzer's leaving will necessarily hurt the ministry but that it will be a transition period for the church.
The church also has a facility in Quincy, Ill. that will be in charge of the financial dealings with the new church, Belzer said. He said they are negotiating for the old shoe factory in the south part of town to be the location of the church.
"Actually, it's kind of exciting to think about for the community of Kirksville," he said. "As a campus ministry, you kind of focus on college students, so it's been kind of exciting to think about a church that could integrate students and people from the city."
Belzer said he had been in contact with the church in Quincy and decided that what it represented was exactly what he wanted to pursue. He said he was attracted to the contemporary style of The Crossing.
"I think a lot of people see the church as irrelevant to our culture, you know," Belzer said. "Some people see it as a little outdated. ... I'm excited to step into a church that is like, 'Hey, this is 2008.' The music represents 2008, even the artwork - everything represents, you know, that this is today."
Belzer said his departure will affect his family and the community and that he has received a variety of responses about his new job.
"I think in some ways it will be better for my family," he said. "They're really excited about it, about it integrating other families and the church environment. ... Some [people] are really excited for us, you know, that we have this opportunity. Some are really sad when they think about the changes it will have for CCF, so I guess it's probably a wide spectrum."
Belzer has worked with CCF for 24 years and said the organization is looking to hire someone to take his place. He said CCF most likely will replace him with a current staff member and hire another person to help out.
Women's minister Megan Hand said she does not think Belzer's leaving will necessarily hurt the ministry but that it will be a transition period for the church.
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