By The Paper staff
WABASH, Ind. – Brandon Eaton is the new lead pastor at Wabash Friends Church.
He was approved for the post at a congregational meeting on Dec. 13. Eaton will step up to his new responsibilities Jan. 1 after serving as youth pastor for the church for the past six years.
“I love preparing and giving sermons, and I’ve always thought that I’d like to be in a position where I could lead and cast vision for a church,” said Eaton. “I’ve been feeling God’s leading toward more of a teaching pastor or lead pastor role for the past couple of years. But I’ve also come to love the people of Wabash Friends, and really didn’t want to leave.
“When God aligned all of the pieces so I could stay at my church and move into this new phase of ministry, I was floored and humbled. I’m so excited to get to lead and serve these people.”
An opening for Eaton to move up opened recently when Alex Falder, who had served as lead pastor at Wabash Friends for the past seven years, accepted a staff pastor role at a church in Billings, Mont.
Darrell Boone, chairman at Wabash Friends, echoed Eaton’s excitement.
“Brandon has done a nice job pinch hitting for us in the pulpit for the past couple of years, so we were well aware of his preaching skills going into the selection process,” he said. “But as we went through the successive interviews, we were really impressed with his heart and vision for the Lord’s work. We too are excited about how Wabash Friends can be a part of that, both here in the community and with our missions partners around the world.”
Describing himself as a “pastor’s kid” (he is the son of Michael and Cheryl Eaton, who are on staff at Bachelor Creek Church of Christ in Wabash) Eaton was born in Indiana, but spent much of his youth in Florida.
He is an honors graduate of Johnson University, Knoxville, Tenn., where he double majored in Bible and counseling. Since being a youth pastor at Wabash Friends, Eaton has been active in the community, helping to launch Campus Life in Wabash County. He has also served as a volunteer at the Access Youth Center, and PEP (Peers Educating Peers) leader for four years.
As he begins his new duties, Eaton said that helping Wabash Friends continue its tradition of being a positive and contributing member the community is a key part of his vision.
“I want to equip our people to walk alongside members of this community who need to know the God who loves them, and have conversations with them about things that matter,” he said. “I want our church to get in on the work that God is already doing, and be one piece of the puzzle that He is putting together for the good of the people of Wabash, and in which He is inviting us to participate.”
Eaton and his wife, Savannah, whom he describes as his “partner in ministry,” have been married for 11 years. They reside in Wabash, and have four children, Clover, 8, Bear, 5, Anchor, 4, and Oak, 3 months.