Tricounty Specialized Ministries
Serving Longwood, and Range Line Presbyterian Churches
We are a group of two churches which share a pastor and ministry to our communities. We are the Presbyterian Presence in northern Pettis County, Missouri. We have grown together out of a common concern for our futures.
How our Ministry Started:
In 1992, with the aid of the Congregational Development Committee (CDC) of Missouri Union Presbytery, and Executive Presbyter M. Anderson Sale, a group of churches, numbering about 12 churches met to discuss similar problems. By 1993, two churches, Longwood Presbyterian and Otterville Presbyterian joined together to begin the Tri-County Specialized Ministry, and with the assistance of the CDC, the executive, and representatives of Broadway Presbyterian, Knob Noster Presbyterian, and Range Line Presbyterian, began drafting grant requests to begin the ministry. By late 1993 funding at the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly levels, as well as local funding was approved for a five year program to allow the Longwood and Otterville churches to call a pastor.
In July 1994 Rev. James Rodda was called as the Pastor of Longwood and Otterville Presbyterian churches as well as the Director of the Tri-County Specialized Ministries. In December 1995, Rev Rodda, was called to the Church Triumphant, and the churches continued with temporary supply pastors. In May 1998 the two churches called Rev. Roger Manley who served until May 1999.
In June 1999, the Range Line Presbyterian Church joined together with the Longwood and Otterville Presbyterian churches, to increase the number of participating churches. In October that year, the churches called CLP Leo Birk, who had been serving the Knob Noster Church. Leo had been involved with the planning and work of the churches of TCSM since 1992. He was appointed designated pastor for a three year term. In July 2003, after having completed the requirements, Rev. Leo Birk was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament, and served as the Pastor of the three churches until his untimely death in May, 2006.
After Rev. Birk's death, Rev. Tim Kiser from Missouri Valley College served as interim pastor until August 2007, when Rev. Pat Roller joined us. Rev. Roller served as pastor for the three churches until August 2010.
In November 2010, we organized a Pastor Nominating Committee with members from each church, and began our search for a full-time pastor to serve our three rural churches. One year later, we called a new pastor to our churches. Today, we are blessed to have Rev. Roberta Karchner in our pulpits. Pastor Bobbie (as she prefers to be called) was raised and educated in California, joined us in the fall of 2011, coming from western Kansas.
In 2014, Otterville became a affiliate member, and, while we no longer share a common pastor, they are still happily a part of our extended ministry. On December 31, 2020, Pastor Bobbie officially retired and we are now seeking direction for our future.
Now, we welcome you to come worship with us. See you in church!
How our Ministry Started:
In 1992, with the aid of the Congregational Development Committee (CDC) of Missouri Union Presbytery, and Executive Presbyter M. Anderson Sale, a group of churches, numbering about 12 churches met to discuss similar problems. By 1993, two churches, Longwood Presbyterian and Otterville Presbyterian joined together to begin the Tri-County Specialized Ministry, and with the assistance of the CDC, the executive, and representatives of Broadway Presbyterian, Knob Noster Presbyterian, and Range Line Presbyterian, began drafting grant requests to begin the ministry. By late 1993 funding at the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly levels, as well as local funding was approved for a five year program to allow the Longwood and Otterville churches to call a pastor.
In July 1994 Rev. James Rodda was called as the Pastor of Longwood and Otterville Presbyterian churches as well as the Director of the Tri-County Specialized Ministries. In December 1995, Rev Rodda, was called to the Church Triumphant, and the churches continued with temporary supply pastors. In May 1998 the two churches called Rev. Roger Manley who served until May 1999.
In June 1999, the Range Line Presbyterian Church joined together with the Longwood and Otterville Presbyterian churches, to increase the number of participating churches. In October that year, the churches called CLP Leo Birk, who had been serving the Knob Noster Church. Leo had been involved with the planning and work of the churches of TCSM since 1992. He was appointed designated pastor for a three year term. In July 2003, after having completed the requirements, Rev. Leo Birk was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament, and served as the Pastor of the three churches until his untimely death in May, 2006.
After Rev. Birk's death, Rev. Tim Kiser from Missouri Valley College served as interim pastor until August 2007, when Rev. Pat Roller joined us. Rev. Roller served as pastor for the three churches until August 2010.
In November 2010, we organized a Pastor Nominating Committee with members from each church, and began our search for a full-time pastor to serve our three rural churches. One year later, we called a new pastor to our churches. Today, we are blessed to have Rev. Roberta Karchner in our pulpits. Pastor Bobbie (as she prefers to be called) was raised and educated in California, joined us in the fall of 2011, coming from western Kansas.
In 2014, Otterville became a affiliate member, and, while we no longer share a common pastor, they are still happily a part of our extended ministry. On December 31, 2020, Pastor Bobbie officially retired and we are now seeking direction for our future.
Now, we welcome you to come worship with us. See you in church!