09/20/2025
Hello from the Mountain!
As the crisp fall air settles in and the leaves start to change, we at Mountain Ministries are taking a moment to reflect on what an incredible summer it's been. We've welcomed so many new faces and have enjoyed our weekly services and events throughout the season. Thank you for all your continued support!
At the closure of the September 10th worship service Pastor Rod shared a special announcement. Pastor Rod announced his retirement from Mountain Ministries at the end of September. He has served as Pastor of Mountain Ministries for the past seven years. He will be leading in his last worship service on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 as his time with Mountain Ministries comes to an end. Pastor Rod said “it has been a great journey on Prayer Mountain these past years seeing the hands of God working in the Community of Faith. Come out and celebrate with Pastor Rod and worship together on September 24, 2025.
Response from the Leadership Team:
As we celebrate the remarkable ministry of Pastor Rod over these last seven years, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the faithful service, guidance, and love you’ve shared with us.
Pastor Rod has been a source of inspiration, wisdom, and compassion throughout the years, leading our service with a heart full of devotion. Your leadership has shaped countless lives, and your unwavering commitment to the birth of Mountain Ministries and has left a lasting impact.
Though we will miss you dearly, we know that God’s work will continue through the foundation you've laid. As you step into this new season of life, we pray that you find rest, joy, and peace, knowing that your work here has truly made a difference.
Thank you for your service, your love, and your unwavering faith. You will always be a cherished part of Mountain Ministries.
Our October Schedule:
We are excited to announce that we will be continuing worship in the month of October with Hal Haire as our Pastor!
Hal (Harold) was raised in the New Brighton Free Methodist Church in a loving family where he was the youngest of four children.
He attended Roberts Wesleyan Church in Rochester, New York, following which he and Debbie (Whippo) were married in 1973. After attending Seminary in Kentucky and Pittsburgh, he entered the ministry to Free Methodist Churches in 1976 and served steadily until his retirement in 2017.
Hal and Debbie have three children:
• Their son, Travis, was a Naval Academy Grad (2000) served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Submarine Force until his premature death in 2015.
• Troy (Missy) lives in New Middletown. He is a Boardman firefighter and she is a physical assistant.
• Tracie lives in Rockledge, Florida with her husband Jon and their two children: Rylie (17) and Coltin (16). Jon retired in 2024 from a career as a Command Chief in the U.S. Navy - also serving the Submarine Corp. Tracie works in childcare.
Hal and Debbie’s retirement home is in Heron Woods in Enon Valley. Debbie is a session member at the Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church - where they attend regularly (unless Hal has preaching assignments).
Upon leaving Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown, Ohio in 2012, they went to Northeast China to teach English at the Changchun University of Science and Technology for three years.
Throughout the years, Hal has enjoyed stimulating the church to grow through convert growth constantly enfolding new believers into the community of faith. He seeks to continually grow as a leader and recruits and trains leaders as a major part of his role. He uses creative means to preach and teach and believes we should all say - like King David: “When they said, ‘Let’s go to the house of GOD; my heart leaped for joy!” (Psalm 122:1 TM)
Hal earned a Master’s Degree in counseling and has helped many couples and individuals over the years through this critical role.
Hal is excited to join Mountain Ministries this October and invites you to pray for him as he prepares to share with us. Please also Pray for his wife Debbie who will have a hip replacement in early October. It is important to know that Hal has extreme hearing
difficulties.
Our Upcoming Schedule:
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (7:00 PM) - Wednesday of Worship
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (7:00 PM) - Wednesday of Worship
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (7:00 PM) - Wednesday of Worship
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (7:00 PM) - Wednesday of Worship.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (7:00 PM) - Wednesday of Worship
