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First United Methodist Church welcomes Pastor Linda Farmer-Lewis

The congregation of First United Methodist Church is welcoming Rev. Linda Farmer-Lewis to the downtown Battle Creek church at 111 East Michigan Avenue.  Her duties of providing spiritual and organizational leadership began July 1. Her most recent appointment was lead pastor at Lansing Central United Methodist Church, located across from the Capitol. Her experiences in this role will be a valuable asset in ministry for Battle Creek First located in the midst of The Haven, City Hall, Hall of Justice and the Sojourner Truth Monument.

Rev. Farmer-Lewis has been in active service to United Methodist congregations for 40 years. She is a graduate of Michigan State University, receiving a degree in Choral Education and went on to be the Religious Education Director for Three Rivers First United Methodist Church. Linda then attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, receiving her Masters of Divinity. Linda served appointments to Munith/Pleasant Lake, Jackson First, Homer/Lyon Lake, Lansing Trinity, Birmingham, Kenosha First, Leland, Lansing Central, and was the Dean of Chapel for Albion College. In addition to her church service, Farmer-Lewis has taught K-12 vocal music in Homer schools, and has founded and directed community choruses for many years, including, currently, the Men of Orpheus men’s chorus in Lansing.

“Coming to Battle Creek First United Methodist Church is a true joy. I found in retirement that I missed having a flock to care for and felt called to provide leadership in these times in which we find ourselves denominationally, nationally and spiritually challanged. I look forward to many years among  people of Battle Creek First United Methodist Church and  the Battle Creek community.”