Don Sheerin - Senior Pastor

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Rev. Donald J. Sheerin, Jr was elected Pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church on October 28, 2002. He was elevated to the position of Senior Pastor on February 25, 2006. He is the District Sunday School Director for the Missouri District United Pentecostal Church, a position he has held since July 2005.  He is also the Director of Promotions for the General Sunday School Division of the United Pentecostal Church International, a position he has held since February 2007. He also serves on the Missouri District Board as Presbyter for Section 4, which he has held since July 2011.

Prior to coming to Kennett, Bro. Sheerin was a full-time evangelist based out of Solid Rock Ministries in Fenton, Missouri.  He has served as principal of West Point Christian Academy in Doniphan, Missouri, and as assistant pastor of Deeper Life UPC in West Plains, Missouri.  He also served as Missouri District Youth Secretary from 1999-2004.

He and his wife, Chae (who serves as Section 4 Ladies Ministries President), have three daughters:  Tess, Emma, and Abby.

Carroll McGruder - Bishop

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Rev. Carroll L. McGruder was installed as the Bishop of the First United Pentecostal Church on February 25, 2006, where he previously served as Senior Pastor for 25 years, being elected December 9, 1980. He has also served on the Missouri District Board as Presbyter for Section 4 of the Missouri District (1982-1990, 2009-2011.)

Prior to his arrival in Kennett, McGruder served as Pastor of the Bethel Temple Apostolic Church in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the Windfall Pentecostal Church in Windfall, Indiana. He also served on the Idaho District Board (1978-1980.)

McGruder is a gifted songwriter, having written 300+ songs which have been recorded by such groups as The Cathedrals, The Florida Boys, The Hoppers, The Crabb Family, and Gold City. 

Bishop Carroll McGruder is blessed with three children: Eric, Shawnee, and Holly; and six grandchildren: Spencer and Jacob McGruder; Prisda, Taryn, and Harrison Trowbridge; and Onyx McGruder.

Laura Butler - Youth Pastor

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Sis. Laura Butler was appointed Youth Pastor June 2010. She had previously served as an assistant to the Youth Pastor from 2004-2010. She and her husband, Chris, have one son: Dawson.

Primary Classroom

Primary Classroom