After long wait, Goshen Christian welcomes new pastor

By Ginny Privitar
GOSHEN — It was a long wait. But after a year and a half without a pastor, the congregation of Goshen Christian Reformed Church is pleased to welcome the Rev. Samuel Sutter.

“It’s like a fresh start," said congregant Jolene Larson. "He’s young — 31. We’re just excited to have him here,”

Henry Vogel, a search committee member, said the Rev. Sutter is “young, energetic and a very good preacher. When you talk to him it’s like talking to a neighbor or a friend.”

The search committee’s goal was “to bring younger families back to church," and "to create an environment where they can feel comfortable and also hear God’s word.” To do that, Vogel said, the committee had to change the church's focus "to be more evangelical and reach out more to the community."

They also wanted to find a pastor with a strong biblical background, and a solid seminary education in reformed doctrine.

After a lengthy search, the church elders sent the Rev. Sutter a formal call to minister to their flock in Goshen. He became pastor on Jan. 1.

At the same time, the elders created the position of worship leader, and hired Tim McHugh, who plays the guitar, to bring more contemporary music to the church.

The Rev. Sutter trained at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and was pastor at Dix Hills Evangelical Free Church in Huntington Station, Long Island, for seven years before accepting the position in Goshen.

“I really made connections with the people, and it was hard to leave, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know the people in Goshen," he said.

He described the people he’s met so far as very friendly.

“I really like this place," he said.

The new pastor made wry note of the cold spell. In response to a question about pastimes, he said: “I used to be an interesting person. Now that I have a toddler, my interest is in finding warm playgrounds.”

The Rev. Sutter comes to Goshen with his wife, Ashley, and two-year-old daughter, Colette, who recently started ballet lessons at Kennett’s Dance Center. The Sutters are also expecting a son, due in March.

The Rev. Sutter's path to the clergy started when he was a choir director.

“I was in a church doing music, in Philadelphia, and they asked me to help out with youth groups — kids who really needed help," he said. "I was struck by how much they needed God, and by working with them, seeing them grow and change, I was called to do more of this. I saw how fulfilling it was to help people.”

“At the end of the day, one thing about being part of the reformed church — we work really hard trying to understand how suffering and hard times fit in with God’s plan,” he said.

Vogel said the Rev. Sutter's preaching style "helps people with issues they face today" and "helps us to apply God’s message to help us lead a better life."

All are welcome at the church, located at 2440 Route 17A.

“We believe church is a place to worship and have a direct relation with God, with a body of believers that help to lift you up," Vogel said. "It’s a ‘no judgment zone.' We surround you with the love of Christ.”