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NILES -- Wanting to return to the area, the Rev. Chris Stark, a Mineral Ridge native, was able to come back home when he was hired recently as the new minister at Niles First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Stark, who started at the church New Year's Day, said he graduated from Mineral Ridge High School and then received his bachelor's degree at Bethany College in West Virginia and then his master's in divinity / theology from Lexington Theological Seminary.
''I never thought I would end up back in this area,'' he said.
Stark said he grew up at the First Christian Church in Girard and when he learned of the opening at the Niles church, he applied.
Originally, Stark was planning a career in communication and worked as a radio dee-jay. He majored in communication with a minor in religious studies.
''I changed because I had thought of having an occupation where I served others and work and better the community. Ministry was an acceptable opportunity for me to do so. I had a strong background and faith that led me to this,'' Stark said.
He said with parents, family and friends in the area, he was excited to come back to Trumbull County. Before coming to Niles, Stark served six years at a church in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland.
''That was a great learning opportunity with a smaller congregation. So coming here was a little bigger church atmosphere,'' he said.
He said when he and his wife, Amanda, were in Lakewood, they felt blessed they were even that close to the area since at one time he was living in Kentucky. Amanda is from the Pittsburgh area.
''We always considered it a blessing to have the opportunity to be as close as Lakewood. Life led us here. I would have never imagined we would be back here,'' Stark said.
The Starks' daughter will attend Weathersfield Local School District.
He said he has spent the past few weeks getting acquainted with the church and how things are done.
''They are a healthy and strong in faith, willing to reach out in ministry to the community,'' Stark said.
He said he looks forward to being involved with other area churches, including the annual Interfaith Banquet in the spring.
''I would like to see some programs and events at the church re-established. I think for many churches today, they have to look at their futures and surviving. No matter what skills and services we have, our job is to look beyond the church walls and see how we can meet the needs of those around us,'' Stark said.
For the past two years, the church has had interim ministers and continued in their ministry and missions.
He said he is aware that the area is economically depressed with families struggling, but he plans to preach a message of hope.