17 Dec John Beukema Leaving King Street Church

John Beukema (right) has resigned as senior pastor of King Street UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) effective January 12, 2014. He has accepted a position as senior pastor of Cypress Bible Church in Houston, Texas.

In an announcement to the board of administration and elders at King Street on November 6, Beukema said, “Early in 2012, I began to realize that God might have different plans for me, rather than to remain at King Street for the next 10 years. I began to pray for clear and specific direction.” He said his gift mix better suits investing in multiple churches for 8-10 years each.

Cypress Bible Church announced Beukema’s selection on November 7.

Beukema became senior pastor of King Street in 2005, after the previous senior pastor, Pat Jones, became the denominational Director of Healthy Church Ministries. At the time, King Street had a weekly worship attendance of about 1300, making it the largest United Brethren church in the world. Under Beukema’s leadership, King Street’s weekly attendance increased to about 1800, with four worship services every Sunday morning.