Rev. Mick Whistler Appointed as Milford First’s Next Lead Pastor

Milford First UMC’s Visioning Board is pleased to share that Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, in conjunction with Rev. Jenn Lucas, superintendent of the Ohio River Valley District, and the West Ohio Conference Cabinet, has appointed Rev. Mick Whistler to succeed Rev. Steven Rodgers upon his retirement at the end of June 2023. Rev Mick currently serves as the lead pastor of Grand Lake UMC in Celina, Ohio. Read on for an introductory note from Pastor Mick, and then join us in prayer as we prepare for this exciting new season of leadership in the life of our church:

Hello good people of Milford First UMC,

My name is Mick Whistler and I have the privilege of becoming your new pastor beginning this July. After meeting with members of your Visioning Board and doing a deep dive into your website, I’m confident that this is a God-ordained appointment. Your Core Values & Commitments are very much aligned with mine and I love seeing all the ways you are mission-focused. I think we’re going to have a great time working together for the advancement of God’s kingdom, as I like to say, across the street and around the world!

At this point, I feel like I know more about you than you know about me. So, here’s a little bio to help you know me better. I was born and raised in Darke County, Ohio. I earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Wright State University in 1992, which launched me into an exciting career in marketing for nearly 15 years, even earning an MBA from James Madison University in 2000. Shortly thereafter, God started calling me away from marketing and into ministry. This was very scary and confusing for me, and it took until 2006 before I finally embraced His call. Since then, I have served churches of various sizes, completed a Master of Divinity degree at United Theological Seminary in 2009, and was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church in 2012. I have been married to my wife, Renee, for 33 years and we have one daughter, Emma, who is currently attending Kentucky Wesleyan College. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, riding my bike, working out, playing golf and going to the movies (it’s really all about the buttered popcorn!).

I’ll share more about my family and me once we get there this summer. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better as we do life and ministry together. In the meantime, please keep doing all of the great things you are doing; and make sure to love on Pastor Steven and his wife as they prepare for this exciting next stage of their lives. My family and I will be praying for all of you and we appreciate your prayers for us as we move into this transitional season of life and ministry. We are looking forward to meeting and serving alongside all of you.

Blessings,
Pastor Mick