ELLINWOOD — After two congregations combined to form the Ellinwood Community Church, the members went in search of a full-time pastor. Sam Ryan filled that role on June 1.

Ryan was born in Great Bend and grew up there, participating in sports when he attended Great Bend High School. His parents are Chris Ryan, owner of Sunrise Staffing Service, and Melanie Ryan, best known recently for the murals she had painted on buildings in Great Bend and Larned.

Pastor Ryan attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo., graduating in May. Less than a month later, he started his job at Ellinwood Community Church.

“We want people to know the gospel that has the power to save,” he said. “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.”

Member Lloyd Kurtz describes the match as an answer to prayer. “We’d been praying for help and God took care of us.”

Ryan is also a football coach at Ellinwood High School and he plans to be here for the long haul. He’s estimated he’ll be ready to retire in 2067.

A growing congregation

Before consolidating congregations, the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church each saw weekly attendance of about 25 people, Kurtz estimated. Now the attendance at this non-denominational church averages 75-80. The church is located at 507 North Fritz St. in Ellinwood. Sunday services are at 10 a.m. with adult Sunday School at 9:15.

The church will conduct a community service at the band shell in Ellinwood at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29.