New pastor — from TV repair to God's work

Meet Dan Ames: Pastor at United Methodist Churches in Barrington and Warren

By Josh Bickford
Posted 7/27/16

Dan Ames recently arrived in Barrington — the latest stop in his journey as a pastor in the Methodist church. Pastor Dan was called to ministry in 1992 and began his work at Broadcove Community …

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New pastor — from TV repair to God's work

Meet Dan Ames: Pastor at United Methodist Churches in Barrington and Warren

Posted

Dan Ames recently arrived in Barrington — the latest stop in his journey as a pastor in the Methodist church. Pastor Dan was called to ministry in 1992 and began his work at Broadcove Community Church in Cushing, Maine in 1996. "I had a wonderful time there," said the Connecticut native. 

He added the Friendship (Maine) Community Church in 1998 and was transferred to Windham County Parish in Connecticut in 2002. Through 2006 Pastor Dan served church communities in Oneco, Moosup and Thompson and added Danielson in 2006. He remained with churches in Connecticut through 2011 when he was appointed to a church in Essex Junction, Vt.

Pastor Dan said he enjoyed his time in Vermont and is excited about his new appointment at the Barrington and Warren Methodist Churches — "We've had a very warm welcome from both churches," he said.

Family — Pastor Dan and his wife Martha have been married for 32 years. They raised Dan's two older children — Jennifer and Danny — and are now raising their two younger children. Sarah is 18 and Hannah is 16. He and Martha have a 17-year-old granddaughter, Haley.

Outreach — "I enjoy working with folks who are in need of assistance and helping connect them with needed services," Pastor Dan wrote in a recent message. "I have had the privilege of being very involved in local soup kitchens and fuel assistance programs in the past."

More outreach — "I look forward to being involved in Mobile Loaves and Fishes," he said.

To be a verb — "In the United Methodist Church there is a saying that church needs to be a verb," Pastor Dan wrote. "That means telling the story about how Christ has touched your life and actively sharing our faith…"

Early work — Pastor Dan worked at his father's furniture and appliance store while he was growing up. From the age of 9 through 27, Dan handled television repairs and helped with sales at Frank Ames TV, Furniture and Appliance in Camden, Maine. "My dad taught me work ethic. He worked very hard. He was like Robin Hood — he was always helping others."

Family business — Pastor Dan said he first heard his call to God when he was 12 years old, but "I ran away from God." He said his father had always told him that he would take over the family business when he was old enough, but in June 1990, Frank Ames closed the store. "I had to recreate what I was going to do," Pastor Dan said. Later in life Dan became involved in a youth group at the Broadcove Community Church and embraced his calling. 

Importance of children — "Children and youth ministry is an important part of my ministry," he wrote. "Children of all ages are always welcome in church. They are the present and the future of the church. Sunday School for adults is also important."

Survivor — "I had a stroke on Aug. 14, 2009," Pastor Dan said. "I think it has enhanced my ministry. I have a deeper understanding, in that I didn't lose my faith."

Live your faith — "I think we need to be real. We need to live out our faith," he said.

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