Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 1 August 1996 — Page 15

The Muncie Times, August 1,1996, Page 15

Trinity parishiners send pastor to in-law’s funeral in India

by Judy Mays In the role of preacher, teacher, evangelist, administrator, counselor, and friend, many pastors assume the role of shepherd. However, it is different when a congregation comes together to provide for the needs of its pastor. That was the case when the wife of the Rev. Mark A. Ferguson lost her father recently in India. Ferguson is the senior pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church. “When pastor announced that his father-in-law had passed, my heart went out to him,” said Kent Blair. “He’s like a brother to me and after service, I went to offer my condolences.” Mrs. Ferguson had been in India for a week when her father, Dr. Silas Singh, a medical missionary at Methodist Hospital Busar, Bihar, India, died. Shortly after the announcement, several church leaders met to discuss raising funds for Ferguson to join his family in

India.

“We wanted to surprise

him,” said Blair, “but technically to call an administrative meeting you have to go through the pastor. Some groups and individuals had made donations but we decided to pool our resources and work together in what I call ‘Project Sheep to Shepherd: A Love Offering’.” Blair said many others in the church donated time, food, or money to put on several fundraisers, which included

two barbecues.

“I think this was a very important bonding experience,” said Blair. “It was important because of the pastor being new to the church and new to the city. I wanted him to feel the love I feel for him throughout the entire church. “I think an additional blessing was the cohesiveness of the project. I believe it was the mark of a New Trinity.” As a result, Trinity members presented Ferguson with a check for over $3,000 for his

trip to India.

“I know other churches may have weekly collections that are more, but right now I feel so proud to be a part of Trinity. I know where we’ve come

from a point of not being united. We’ve come from a point of dying to a point of being alive and filled with joy. “It’s just great to show love and to provide finances for our pastor, from going from not doing to doing what we’re supposed to do.” Ferguson, who declined to give his age, has been in the ministry since 1982. He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and

Atlanta, Ga.

“I’ve had cross-racial appointments serving black and white congregations,” said Ferguson. “I’ve served as an associate, youth, staff and

senior pastor.”

Ferguson attended Cleveland public schools and graduated from Chanel High School (Bedford, Ohio), an all-boys catholic institution. He is a graduate of Bowling Green University, Bowling Green, Ky., where he received a bachelor’s degree in commu nications. He received a master of divinity degree from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. It was in Atlanta that he met his future wife, Anita.

“I saw many beautiful Ferguson has become a women from my window and member of the Collective Coashe was one of them. I decided lition of Concerned Clergy,

<ent Blair presents a check to Rev. Mark Ferguson to help defray expenses of trip to India

Members of Trinity United Methodist Church Project Sheep To Shepherd.

I’d like to meet her and just say hello to her. “1 did that and, obviously, the conversation developed. We’ve been married 9 years.” Mrs. Ferguson, an information specialist earned a master of library science degree from Atlanta University. She has a bachelor’s degree from Isabella Thoubum College in Lucknow. India. The Fergusons have two sons, Kumar, 6, and Ashish. 4. “With my oldest son, 1 didn't want a junior per se, but my name is encompassed within his name, moving the ‘K’ and adding a ‘u’. I wanted our children to have all aspects of their parents’ heritage - Indian and African American.” Ferguson’s father, Harold T. Ferguson, is deceased. His mother, Joy L. Ferguson, is in Cleveland.

since moving to Muncie. He has been the senior pastor of Trinity since December 1995. “1 believe people here in Muncie truly love the Lord. I find the city of Muncie warm and welcoming, very receptive to a new person, such as myself. coming into the community. The clergy has been just as responsive as the laity,” said Ferguson. “My vision as the pastor ol Trinity United Methodist Church is not to simply recapture a history but to build upon the great history that Trinity has and continue to develop into a vital congregation and continue to grow - just as Trinity did under the leadership of the Rev. Williams and the Rev. Shelton.” Ferguson left July 23 foi India. K