By OLIVIA HASELWOOD

Staff writer

Eastmoor United Methodist’s new pastor, the Rev. Dan Ferguson, hopes to increase popularity of the church’s contemporary service and get more young families to join.

Ferguson, a pastor in Pratt for eight years, replaces Mike Eurit, who after eight years in Marion has been assigned to preach at Church of the Cross in Salina.

In Pratt, Ferguson increased participation in his church’s contemporary service to the point that it was the most attended service each week.

“I believe that if lay people are excited about a program it will happen,” he said last week. “I can’t make them be excited about something, but I can provide leadership and help the congregation grow.”

Ferguson received his doctorate in ministry from Friends University, where his oldest daughter, Rachel, is chair of adult studies and a professor.

His wife, Glenda, works as a nurse at Pratt Care Center and plans to continue working there for some time.

The couple’s second daughter, Andrea, is an accountant in Omaha. They also have a dog, Peaches.

“I get excited when I see people making major changes and see how Christ is changing them from who they are and into who they should be, and bringing new people into the church,” he said.

Ferguson enjoys reading, sports, bicycling, and attending musical theater with his wife.

“I’m excited to be here,” he said. “I’m learning about the town. About everyone I talked to about coming here from outside the community talked about how neat the community is.”