By Judy Seifert (Contact / Staff Bio)
June 11, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

JUNIATA TOWNSHIP ‹ Members of Juniata Baptist Church recently said goodbye to two of their long-time pastors ­ Dean Bryan and Marc Knoedler.

On Memorial Day, more than 250 friends, parishioners and family members gathered at a picnic to show their gratitude to the two pastors for their years of ministry.

"We’re sorry to see them leave," said Bonnie Foster, a member of the congregation, "but we understand they have other missions that need to be fulfilled."

Bryan has been the principal of the Juniata Christian School for 33 years. Knoedler has served as youth pastor since 1989. Both were assistant pastors to Dr. Rick Flanders, who recently went into full-time evangelism.

During the past year, Bryan received two additional tributes to his life’s work. Last spring, Pensacola Christian College awarded him an honorary doctor's degree, and more recently he was honored during commencement exercises at Calvary Baptist Academy in Midland. Both will continue to live in Tuscola County.

The 100-year-old church is located on Washburn Road between the city of Vassar and the village of Mayville. Its school is considered one of the oldest Christian schools in the state.

"We’re very proud of our history and both pastors have brought special meaning to our congregation," Foster added.

Flanders was one of several guest speakers at the event.

The church has membership in Mayville, Millington, Caro and Vassar. Foster said the church is well-known in the area for its trademark red buses that criss-cross the Thumb area on Sunday mornings.

Judy Seifert is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at seifert@tcadvertiser.com.