Community Corner

Lemont Pastor Heads to Nashville After 12 Years of Service

Kevin Ulmet recently became a new pastor at the First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville.

Chicago First Church of the Nazarene, whose main campus is located in Lemont, bid farewell to their senior pastor last month after nearly 12 years of service.

Kevin Ulmet, who has been at the since 2000, has become the new senior pastor at the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene in Tennessee. He replaces Gary Allen Henecke, who announced his retirement in February.

The transition took place Aug. 21, with Ulmet becoming the 15th senior pastor in the Nashville church's 113-year history.

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During his time in Lemont, Ulmet has contributed significantly to the growth of the church's weekend worship attendance, according to a news release. He also helped found the Nazarene Arts Academy, which serves more than 4,000 children in conjuction with Nazarene Recreation.

Prior to leaving for Nashville, Ulmet offered his thanks to the Lemont community, where he and his wife raised their three daughters.

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"This has been without question the best nearly 12 years of my ministry, both in terms of the great church we’ve been privileged to serve and the wonderful community of Lemont," he said. "This village opened its arms to my family, and gave us a place to call home. Following God’s call, we gladly go to Nashville and begin a new era there, but we’ll never forget Lemont and Chicago.

"The privilege has been all ours.”

The First Church of the Nazarene in Lemont is still in the process of searching for its next senior pastor, Ulmet said.


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