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Reverend, Wife Celebrate 40 Years At Fluvanna Church

The Rev. Dayle and Judy Keefer of Fluvanna Community Church will celebrate their 40th anniversary of being at the church on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. with an open house celebration. The church is located at 3363 Fluvanna Ave. in Jamestown. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

FLUVANNA — A local pastor and his wife have spent four decades leading the same area church and have declared it a blessing.

The Rev. Dayle Keefer, and his wife, Judy, have been faithfully stationed at Fluvanna Community Church for 40 years and are glad to celebrate their anniversary this Sunday. The occasion will be marked by an open house event complete with finger foods and refreshments from 1-4 p.m. The event is a way for the church, past members and the community to come together and celebrate the milestone event through fellowship.

Keefer and his wife said they feel blessed to be a part of the church. The pair were originally from Fairview and North and East Springfield, Pa., respectively, but moved to Jamestown to pastor the church in 1976. The reverend said he started pastoring the church in what is now known as the “old church” just down the road with a congregation of 30 people. With the ebb and flow of time, the church grew and many families and young couples came to be a part of the church.

Previously, when the Keefers came to Fluvanna Community Church, Judy Keefer said the congregants were older folks.

“Then all of the sudden, it just started blossoming,” she said.

Eventually, around 1981, the current location was built. Judy Keefer said with the growth of the church, moving to the new site was wonderful because there was enough space for everything.

Rev. Keefer said the church has grown over the years, but he said that’s not the best part.

“My greatest feeling is not for numerical growth, but spiritual growth and seeing people come into faith in Jesus Christ, see them mature and give council to other people,” he said.

While all has turned out well, Judy Keefer said she originally was not keen on the idea of moving from their home church which was large and well-established. She said she was happy where they were. Keefer told a story in which she said to her husband, “I wish it were like the old days when there would be writing on the wall.” She then went out, and when she returned home, there was a large sign hung on the wall penned by her husband, explaining that the Keefers needed to transfer to the Jamestown area.

The pair shared laughter and joy over the years not only between themselves, but also with the congregation. Rev. Keefer shared jokes and puns with the church, and his wife occasionally offered a story or two about the pastor when she would be upfront for the Children’s Choir performance.

Congregants Cindy Rogers and Judy DeHaven said the tales told by his wife were harmless and funny, but let the congregation see the human side of the reverend. DeHaven has been working in the church office for almost 14 years, and said it has given her a different perspective on the reverend and his wife.

“It’s caused me to have more compassion for what they face,” she said. “People tend to put pastors (and their wives) on pedestals, but they’re just people.”

Rogers said the Rev. doesn’t water down his teaching, but rather the message is filled with the words of the Gospel which is always appreciated.

“I think we’re way more serious about everyone’s spiritual growth,” she said. “I appreciate that (Rev. Keefer) doesn’t preach to itching ears.”

Rogers said the biggest change she has noticed since she began attending in 1986 has been the change that has occurred in herself.

“I’m less fearful, less angry, less judgmental, more kind, more gentle, more generous, more patient, more grateful, more loving and more loved,” she said. “I’m very thankful that God has used my church and my pastor in that transformation and I look forward to more.”

Rev. Keefer said over the years, he has learned several lessons, but there are two that stick out most in his mind.

“I’ve learned that pastoring a church is a lot like being married,” he said, glancing over at his wife with twinkling eyes.

“As I’ve grown to love my wife more over the years, I’ve also grown to love the church more and more. As in marriage, I’ve made a covenant to Judy, as I have made a covenant with the church since I first came here. I really feel that way.”

Rev. Keefer said the importance of the Holy Spirit cannot also not be ignored.

“When I received the fullness of the Holy Spirit at Houghton College, my life and my ministry was empowered beyond what I could imagine,” he said. “I believe that I have walked in the spirit as best I know how, and if anything has been accomplished, i give all the glory to God because only he can do this. I feel honored to be an instrument in his hands.”

Judy Keefer said she has learned in the past 40 years to trust in her husband more than she ever did before. In difficult times, she had to learn to rely on and watch her husband react to and get through certain situations. Challenges would arise, but her husband would meet them with a level head.

“Dayle has his eyes on the mark, and he can get through,” she said. “I have the example that God works through it all, and it’s not about us.”

Not only has Rev. Keefer been able to lead the church with his wife at his side, he has also had the pleasure of serving along side his brother, Ric Keefer, the associate pastor, for 28 years. The brothers have worked together in ministry very well together, and Rev. Keefer said it has been a blessing.

For more information about Fluvanna Community Church, visit www.fluvannacc.com.

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