|
Rev. McDermott
You can hear Rev.
McDermott's weekly sermons broadcast live on
WVOW-FM 101.9
at 11 a.m. every otheer Sunday
Rev.
McDermott's hobbies are photography, gardening and woodworking.
Rev. McDermott and his wife, Karen enjoy camping on their vacations. 
|
Rev. McDermott arrived in Logan, WV in
August, 2002 to become the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church,
Logan. He moved from New Castle, PA with his wife, Karen and their
four cats.
Rev. McDermott was born in Meadville, PA. and as a child
lived in Cochranton, PA and then went to high school and lived in Grove
City, PA. He was very involved as a teenager in the Tower
Presbyterian Church in Grove City in the youth group, worship and
mission projects. After a mission trip to Arkansas prior to his
senior year in high school which influenced his decision about where to
attend college, he enrolled in college at The College of the Ozarks in
Clarksville, Arkansas (now called the University of the Ozarks)
The University of the Ozarks is a
Presbyterian College located in the northwest region of Arkansas.
During college, he was involved in college drama
productions, Christian campus life and the Ozark Area Mission. He
was presented awards in drama, public speaking and most outstanding
religious student. He served two years as president of the Campus
Christian Association.
After graduation from college, Rev. McDermott attended
McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. During
seminary, he served Presbyterian churches in Chicago; Muskogee,
OK; Dodge City and Spearville, KS in positions as youth pastor,
evangelism, and seminary intern.
Following seminary, Rev. McDermott took a different path in ministry
moving back to Meadville, PA and taking a job as an addictions counselor
where he worked for eight years. During this time he became a
Certified Addictions Counselor in Pennsylvania. He was then
offered a position as clinical supervisor for a drug and alcohol
organization in New Castle, PA. He worked as a clinical supervisor
for three years and then became the Executive Director of the
organization which provided outpatient and partial hospitalization
treatment and prevention services. He was the director for nine
years and during this time served as a trainer for other professionals
in Student Assistance Programs, Employee Assistance, Professional
Ethics, Community Prevention and Group process.
During his years working in the addictions field he
served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the Presbyteries of Lake Erie
and Shenango as moderator of the Christian Education Committee of both
presbyteries, Moderator of Shenango Presbytery, Moderator of the
Presbytery General Council, Moderator of Presbytery Worship and Steering
committees. Also served as a member of the budget and finance
committee and the Committee on Ministry. He also served many
churches in both presbyteries in short-term assignments, such as, stated
supply, interim pastor, and pulpit supply. He lead worship in 70+
congregations during this time.
In 2000, he decided to get back into church oriented
pastoral ministry. He became the part-time Pastor of the
Sheakleyville Presbyterian Church in Sheakleyville, PA and worked
part-time working as a grant writer, MIS manager, and trainer for the
Lawrence Co. Family Center in New Castle, PA. In June, 2002 he
decided to accept the call of the First Presbyterian Church in Logan to
become their full-time pastor.
Rev. McDermott is married to Karen who is originally
from Elmira, NY and they have two children (Ron and Kim) and two
grandchildren (Kim's children, Maddie and Gabriel and Kim's husband,
Kent) all live in Williamsburg, VA
Rev. McDermott's father is originally from Greenbrier
County, WV near Alvon, WV and still has many relatives who still live
there. After moving to Logan, he discovered he had a great-uncle
who use to live in Logan during the 20's to the 50's. |
