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Church Leadership Reunites For Ordination

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By DIANE LOEBEL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

The ordination of David Koehler brought together the past leaders of The Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs last month.

Koehler chose to have his ordination at the New Port Richey church because that is where he felt the call to the ministry. As his home church, the Seven Springs church was his sponsor for the seminary.

As a homecoming of sorts, the church contacted its former pastors, inviting them to the ordination. The church, established in March 1985, was led by founding pastor Peter B. Thompson for about 20 years. Thompson led the church until 2004, when he left to lead a South Carolina congregation.

In 1997, Emily Koehler became assistant pastor. She served until 2004 when her husband, David, decided to pursue his calling as a pastor. The couple moved to Pittsburgh, and David attended seminary there. They now co-pastor two churches in Pennsylvania.

Bob Coughenour served as parish associate along with interim pastor Bob Davenport until 2006. The current pastor, Philip Hollins, was installed in October 2006.

Coughenour remains a member of the New Port Richey church.

Davenport is serving as interim associate pastor at Northwood Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, taking over the position that Hollins left to become senior pastor at the Seven Springs church.

"I know The Presbyterian Church of Seven Springs has had many wonderful years of ministry in her past, and for that we are to be grateful," Hollis said in a statement posted on the church's Web site. "I also know that her greatest days are in our future as we strive to serve Christ and our neighbors."

To suggest a Faith in Focus feature, call Diane Loebel at (727) 815-1081; write to her at The Tampa Tribune, 6214 U.S. 19 New Port Richey FL 34652; or e-mail to dloebel@tampatrib.com.

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