Introducing

Pastor Kris

     Kris was blessed to be born into a Christian family in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 1958.  She was the third generation.  Her grandparents became Christians through the work of Presbyterian missionaries.  She went to a Christian girls school, Dara Academy, for twelve years.  Her mother, who was a Sunday School teacher, was a great influence on her since her childhood to be active at church.  Her father was an elder and a lay preacher.  Kris has one brother and one sister.  They both have families and live in Chiang Mai.

     After high school, Kris attended Payap University in Chiang Mai and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religion in 1980 and Master of Divinity degree in 1983.  While in the seminary, she represented the Church in Thailand to World Council of Churches Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.  Upon her graduation, she was the pastor at a village church for five years.  When she first went to the village, there were a few Christians and they worshiped in their homes. 

     After her second year there, they had a church building and increased church members.  Kris taught and trained them to be responsible for the church in leadership roles and to grow in Christian living.  Buddhists and Animists became Christians and were baptized every year.  Within five years, there were about fifty adult members and about twenty children.  Three youth were sent to the seminaries and now are serving in churches.  During Kris’ pastoral work there, she went abroad for more pastoral experiences and continuing education in Korea, Taiwan, and Pakistan.

     Kris came to the USA in August 1988 to study at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. She received her Master of Theology degree in 1989.  Then she studied at Austin Community College for a year. 

     Kris then went to Ohio to be a pastor in the Presbytery of Scioto Valley from June 1990 until February 2002.  Kris received a doctorate degree in Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1995. 

     While serving in Ohio, Kris organized and led mission tours of the presbytery to Thailand three times.  She also went on Reformation Study Tour to Germany, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.  Besides her pastoral care with the church members, she served as a volunteer chaplain at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio for almost 12 years.  Kris left behind the people in Ohio who loved her as a pastor and as a friend.

     Kris started her pastoral ministry here at the Duncannon Presbyterian Church in March 2002.

     Kris loves people and commits herself to the people and churches she serves.  She is outgoing and has a good sense of humor.  She works well with all ages.  She likes to visit people and build up caring relationships for the wholeness of the church.  She is a good listener and trustworthy.  Kris displays a wholehearted commitment to the job.  She likes to know people as individual persons to learn how to minister to each of them.  She pays attention to people to understand their spiritual growth, personalities, identities, strength and weakness. 

     Kris has faith in the people and always envisions them both as the church and as individuals.  Kris works in sharing leadership with others.  Kris encourages, recruits, enables, inspires, and supports people to get more involved in church ministries.  She encourages people to discover their gifts and talents and to express ideas and create new activities.  Kris commits herself to a long term ministry to build a strong church.  Kris is willing to learn from others and their experiences.  She is loving, caring, and forgiving. 

     Kris loves music and enjoys singing and playing guitar.  Kris has skills in communication and drama.  She has 4 cats.  Her husband, Dave DeWitt, and son, Troy DeWitt are supportive to her ministry. 

Kris’ motto is

“God is good and life is precious.” 

                           October is

Pastor Appreciation Month

           You may not know it, but there are individuals who have spent most of their lives in preparation to serve you and others like you. When God tugged at their hearts, they responded by dedicating their lives to meeting your needs—and thanked God for the opportunity. It is for awareness of our pastors' dedication and service that October has been named "Pastor Appreciation Month." Our appreciation of our pastors should not be limited to one month out of the year, but designating that month for that purpose gives us an opportunity to ponder the special ways our pastors bring a blessed friendship into our lives.

            Pastor Kris works long hours and is not a stranger to criticism; As a result, she may be one of the loneliest people in the church. Feelings of disappointment, discouragement, and defeat can begin to plague even the best pastors.
 
           "After all, the apostle's encouragement to 'serve one another in love' (Gal. 5:13) also applies to the relationship we have with our pastor."

  Some of the ways we can show Pastor Kris that we appreciate her:
1. Actually listen to the Sermon, (one of the best pastor appreciation gestures you can make.)
2.  Better yet apply the truth of her preaching to your life.
3.  The best appreciation gifts we can give her are to participate in church ministries and dedicate ourselves to God’s mission.  We all know how many opportunities we have in our church, Bible Study, Prayer Meetings, Book of the Month, Prayer Shawl, Sunday School, Women’s Association, Family Fun Night.  Just to name a few.

 Pastor Kris is on the front lines in the effort to defend our faith and our families. We need to hold her before the Lord in prayer … I have a very tender heart for our pastor because she has been there for all of us when we have been in times of crisis—when we've been in times of suffering and when we have been in times of joy.  We owe our pastor a debt of gratitude that we'll never be able to pay.

 Think creatively about what you can do to recognize the significant work of Pastor Kris.  You are challenged; take the opportunity for support and affirmation of Kris as a faithful servant of God.  Do something nice for her not only this month but every month. 

written by Roberta Lightner