ADRIAN — A new pastor is in the pulpit at Adrian’s First United Methodist Church. Zack Dunlap was appointed to the church in July.

Dunlap grew up in Canton, and said that “if you had asked me as a young high school student, I would have told you I wanted to be a history teacher when I grew up.” But during a church retreat, he felt a nudge — “that voice that comes from within without being your own” — pushing him toward ministry.

He attended Eastern Michigan University and then earned his master’s degree in divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. 

His first church was in Allen Park, and he has also served in Blissfield, Lambertville, and Fairview Heights, Illinois. Most recently he was in Berkley, where he was the pastor of a campus planted by Birmingham First United Methodist Church.

He is currently finishing his doctorate at Duke Divinity School.

Though he didn’t grow up in the United Methodist Church, Dunlap found the church’s theology appealing — an emphasis on grace and also on pragmatism, doing what will make a difference in people’s lives. He said he likes the United Methodist blend of evangelism and social justice, and on viewing the church not just as a “ticket to heaven” but as a chance to improve life on earth.

He also appreciates the United Methodist Church’s inclusive philosophy, “continuing to pull up more chairs to God’s family table.”

Dunlap said Adrian First United Methodist Church is “a church certainly with tremendous history, but also with tremendous potential.”

“We have really good children’s programming and are developing some excellent youth programming for this fall,” he said. “We also have an increasing number of college students from Adrian College who are involved here.”

His wife, Rachael, is also a pastor, serving at Manchester United Methodist Church. Their four children, Sam, Sophia, John and Jed, attend Adrian Public Schools.

First United Methodist Church is at 1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian.