Meet Newcomerstown's Bracken Foster
Meet: Bracken Foster, pastor at the Christ United Methodist Church, christnct.org
Location: 648 Oak Street, Newcomerstown
Education: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Please tell us where you grew up, attended school, and about your family, and hobbies.
“I grew up in the Scio area, where I spent many hours hunting groundhogs on my grandfather David Falls’ farm and fishing in Leesville Lake. My dad, Mick Foster, is a pastor and our family moved a couple of times, but I always called Scio my home. I graduated from North Bloomfield High School near Youngstown, Ohio and Ohio Northern University, which is near Lima. In college, I met the love of my life, my wife, Kimberly Foster. We have five wonderful children who attend Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools. In my 20 years as a pastor, I have served in Shadyside, Adamsville, McConnelsville, and Newcomerstown. I have been privileged to serve Christ UMC (christnct.org) since 2014. Pastoral ministry has been a wonderful experience. I am blessed! I enjoy any outdoor activity, but spend most of my free time at my kids’ activities.”
What do you enjoy about living in the community of Newcomerstown?
“I love Newcomerstown! We have a great history. We have the joy of small-town life, but, most importantly, we have wonderful people! People here know how to be good neighbors. We also have an incredible school system. The teachers and administrators genuinely care about the kids. It shows in all the ways they are involved with kids and their parents beyond the classroom. Every child and their family are known by name.”
When did you realize your calling to become a pastor?
“My calling to be a pastor came in a dramatic way. I was about 10 years old when Pastor Fred Battles’ church from New Rumley held its annual tent revival in Scio Park. The evangelist preached a powerful sermon, and I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit to pray at the altar. When the evangelist saw me, she came and prayed with me. She asked me why I had come to the altar, and I said I didn’t know. As she was praying with me, she suddenly looked and me and said: 'You are going to be a pastor.' From that day on, I did not doubt that God ordained me to serve as a pastor. There would be moments in my life when I would fight with God, hoping God would change His mind, but I always knew I was called to be a pastor.”
What is the biggest joy you have from ministry?
“I believe in the power of God’s Word. In the beginning, God spoke, and the universe came to life. Today, God speaks through the Bible, and people spiritually come to life. It is my joy and privilege to be used by God to teach God’s Word. I can take no credit for it, but my greatest joy is to see people experience the 'abundant life' (John 10:10) that comes as a result of hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). My second greatest joy in ministry is all the great people I have met throughout my ministry. It is a huge blessing to be part of the church and know the mutual support and care of the Christian community.”
What challenges have you faced?
“In 2017 I nearly died. I began the year sick with fevers and chills. After a couple of weeks, my wife made me go to the hospital. After a week of declining health, the fevers became dangerously high, and the doctors put me on a ventilator in a medically induced coma. I was life-flighted to the Cleveland Clinic, where my wife was told I might die. The diagnosis was histoplasmosis. A fungus was filling my lungs and threatening to shut down my organs.
"Word of my situation quickly spread through the area churches into communities all over the world. Churches in Cuba fasted and prayed. Friends in Jerusalem prayed at the Wailing Wall. Local churches called prayer vigils. It was amazing!
"For over three weeks, I remained in a coma. Several times my wife received bad news on a Friday, but after the church prayed, my condition would improve on Sunday. She started calling them 'Miracle Sundays.' God made it clear that my improving health directly resulted from prayer. I finally returned home after more than five weeks in the hospital. The recovery and rehab took longer. I did not return to my pastoral duties until May.
"My church and the Newcomerstown community were wonderful to my family. They brought hot meals. They filled our refrigerator and freezer with good things to eat. They brought special care packages to bless our children. The church held a fundraiser benefit. I received hundreds of get-well cards. The outpouring of love was beyond anything we could have ever imagined. I am so blessed! I have recovered completely and do not have any lingering health issues from my sickness. When I think about everything that happened to me, I thank my God and repeat the words of Psalm 107:1-2. 'Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies.'
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Meet Newcomerstown's Bracken Foster
