While pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Rexford, New York, Douglas W. Fombelle knew his call to ministry extended beyond the congregation to include the broader community surrounding the church. But God had even bigger ideas. In his new role as dean and executive officer of Bethel Seminary of the East, Fombelle oversees Bethel’s teaching centers from Washington, D.C., all the way north into New England. “I have always had a vision to serve God in the larger region of New York’s Capital District,” he says. “Now my ‘parish’ is the entire Northeast.”

Taking the reins from David Ridder, who in December 2002 returned to full-time pastoral ministry as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Newtown, Pennsylvania,* Douglas Fombelle points to three reasons for accepting his new post. “First, because I believe God has clearly called me to this position,” he says. “Second, because it is the natural extension of my life’s commitment to advance the kingdom of God. And third, because I will continue to use the gifts God gave me as a pastor.”

"It is my deepest desire to see Jesus honored and the kingdom advanced as God’s servants are prepared for lives of ministry and leadership."

Fombelle has used his pastoral gifts at Faith Baptist Church since 1977, beginning as youth pastor, continuing as associate pastor, and for the past 19 years, serving as senior pastor. He earned a master of divinity degree from Bethel Seminary in 1977 and a doctor of ministry degree from Bethel in 1994. Believing that seminary is a place where mature leaders can mentor and teach others, Fombelle is particularly excited about the mentorship program that distinguishes Bethel Seminary of the East from other institutions of theological education. In fact he personally has mentored three associate pastors fresh out of seminary. “My call to serve God has led me to the conviction that I need to assist others as they come to grips with God’s call in their own lives,” he says. “It is my deepest desire to see Jesus honored and the kingdom advanced as God’s servants are prepared for lives of ministry and leadership.”

Fombelle calls his wife Cathy a partner in ministry, citing her support and help throughout 28 years of marriage. “We enjoy each other’s company and challenge each other to excellence in ministry,” he says, “Cathy as a nurse and teacher, me as a pastor.” Together they have two sons, “both walking in the Lord as college students.” The Fombelles began their ministry at Bethel Seminary of the East on June 1, 2003.

An Interview with Douglas Fombelle

Q:What about your experience as a pastor in New York has prepared you for this new position as dean and executive officer at Bethel Seminary of the East?

A: I came to Faith Baptist Church in Rexford right out of seminary in 1977, and began my pastoral ministry as a youth pastor. Over the years the leadership of the church re-affirmed my pastoral call. I have served as assistant, associate, and for the last 19 years as senior pastor—all in one church. The very nature of serving in a long-term pastorate challenged me to stay fresh and find ways to continue growing as a pastor.

Coming out of seminary I was prepared intellectually yet unprepared for the relational and spiritual rigors of ministry. I loved the people, and they were so patient with me the first couple of years. I realize now that they were advancing and honing the process of maturation that had begun in seminary. Early in my tenure I was strongly mentored in my prayer life by a layman who insisted that we meet every week at 6:30 a.m. to pray together. A retired pastor in the congregation challenged me with his writing and preaching in the growth of my practical theology. And I have enjoyed the partnership of another pastor as a prayer partner for the last dozen years. All three of these men asked me hard questions and covered my life with the grace of their prayers. They mentored me!

"If I were the head of a missionary agency...I would assign every candidate to spend a year at Bethel Seminary of the East..."

Over the years Faith Baptist has kept an unwavering commitment to world evangelization and missions. As a congregation we prayed, “Lord of the harvest, send workers into your harvest field.” We commissioned and supported young men and women in short-term and career missionary journeys. In coming to Bethel Seminary of the East it dawned on me that I was being called by God to be a part of the answer to the prayer that we had so often prayed, preparing and deploying mature, committed servants of Jesus into the world. I come to Bethel Seminary of the East with a passion to see God’s kingdom advanced.

Q: How would you differentiate the keys to effective ministry in the Northeast from those you’ve seen in other regions of the country?

A: Ministry in the Northeast is indeed unique. The culture of New England creates a natural reserve and hesitance to welcome new things. North-easterners do not easily embrace the gospel unless they see a clear demonstration that Christianity is real and meaningful. Christians living by faith enable others to see Christ through them. The cultures of cities in the Northeast lend a vibrancy, youthfulness, and excitement to ministry. The Northeast is a gateway for international migration, so it has a multicultural flavor that lets the church taste cultures of the world. If I were the head of a missionary agency seeking to send effective missionaries into the world, I would assign every candidate to spend a year at Bethel Seminary of the East working with a target mission group. God has brought the world to the Northeast. On the other hand, ministry in the Northeast is just like ministry in the rest of the world. Lost people need to hear the gospel. Hurting people need to be loved and nurtured with grace. Gifted people need to be motivated and deployed to use their gifts for God’s glory.

Q: What do you look forward to most about your new opportunity at Bethel Seminary of the East?

A: Cathy and I believe that life is an adventure of faith, and we are excited about the great possibilities we see before us. We are committed to modeling and living a balanced Christian life. We know what strains can weigh on the shoulders of pastoral couples in a parish ministry. We desire to help prepare ministry couples to serve God faithfully and well in whatever ministry or Christian leadership capacity God places them. We are also excited about re-engaging in the academic community. We have always valued education and see ourselves as lifelong learners. We prize collegial relationships and have learned much about life and ministry from other Christian leaders. We want to encourage pastors and Christian leaders to learn from and invest in other ministry couples. We are looking forward to seeing a generation of men and women trained, motivated, and deployed into places of influence and service for the kingdom of God.

Stop, Drop, and Pray! Fombelle's Heart for Youth Ministry

Dear to Doug Fombelle’s heart is ministry to young people. His original assignment at Faith Baptist Church in Rexford, New York, was to pastor the youth, and for many years he has served on the board of directors for Capital District Youth for Christ. During a regional Youth for Christ event at the Saratoga Springs Convention Center in Saratoga, New York, last January, Fombelle opened each general session with a five-minute teaching on prayer, followed by instructions to “stop, drop, and pray.” “What an awesome sight it was to see the more than 2,000 young people filling that auditorium get down on their knees before the Lord,” he says. “I’ve always had a concern for teens. It’s always been part of my makeup, my call, and my passion.”