Welcome To Our New Pastors

Rev. Bill Pfohl

Rev. Crystal Paul-Watson

Rev. Carlos Figueroa

Hello sal,

The NYAC has appointed a team of three Pastors to lead the Greater White Plains Cooperative of which we are a member. A Cooperative Parish in The United Methodist Church is a structure that allows multiple congregations, especially smaller ones, to combine resources and efforts for mission and ministry. It fosters collaboration and coordination between churches within a defined geographic area, promoting shared programs and ministry initiatives. The Ministry Team will be leading the churches in this cooperative.

This email is to introduce you to our team of ministers. Feel free to welcome them to our church when you meet them over the next few weeks or to send them a personal welcome via the email listed at the end of each bio.

These welcome notices will be sent one per day over the next three days. Today we introduce:

Objective:

My call is to be a catalyst for grace filled connections as an ambassador-servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; growing in knowledge, love, and enjoyment of God. I hope to fulfill this call in the connectional ministry of the local church which strives to see the world as our parish.

Experience:

July 2000 – Present

Lead Pastor Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church: Ridgefield, CT.

Serve as the shepherd leader through vision, direction and development of staff and lay ministers. Coordinated, motivated and equipped church membership for leadership and service. Lead multiple worship services and classes each week. Facilitated two successful capital campaigns for both capital improvement, mission, and the expansion of the campus. Most recently facilitated the merger with the Steven’s Memorial United Methodist Church

July 1993 – June 2000

Pastor Mount Kisco United Methodist Church: Mt. Kisco, NY.

Visioning and leadership of a small congregation including children, youth, and young adults. Inaugurated (JAM: Jesus and Me) as in interactive children’s ministry. Initiated and provided training for lay pastoral care ministries. Actively partnered in the launching of a Spanish speaking congregation which ministered among local Guatemalan day-laborers.

July 1989- June 1993

Associate Pastor Nichol’s United Methodist Church: Trumbull CT.

Responsible for youth ministries and monthly preaching/worship leadership. Founded a young adults ministry which added dozens of numbers to the congregation. Active leader in the Appalachia Service Project.

Bill moved to Trumbull, CT at the age of 8 where he was active in both the community and church. An all-round athlete who found his early niche on the basketball court and celebrated playing with some great teams in both high school and college. Much of his personal and professional life has been informed by those early team experiences, and in particular, the power of individuals assuming a collaborative role in the pursuit of larger objectives.

Bill received a BS in developmental psychology from Trinity College, a Master of Divinity from Yale University, and Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. The primary focus of both his formal and informal studies has been the pursuit of understanding and then encouraging people to both discover and become their best self. His doctoral paper entitled “Joy Soup for the Chicen Soul” was an exploration of the physical, psychological, pharmacological, and spiritual aspects of well-being. Collaborating with the congregation of Jesse Lee Memorial UMC, the project put a practical expression on the joy of God’s creation in humankind and human participation in the journey toward physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness.

Following in the footsteps of Methodist founder, John Wesley, Bill believes that the life of faith is neither a primarily theoretical nor individual enterprise and is best celebrated in the emergence of new capacities lived out within community. Discerning when and where people can make choices and encouraging participation in God’s infusing love and hope is a powerful expression of faith, and very often leads to joy.

Bill is passionate about developing and encouraging a growth mind set. He believes that God works in individuals and in communities to reveal what a life of abundance is and can be. The expectation that God does more than we can ask or imagine inspires him to look for possibilities and to expect joy.

Bill is an avid outdoorsman enjoying hiking, backpacking, and canoeing. He gardens, celebrates Pittsburgh sports teams (he was born in Pittsburgh), and is excited about advancing his culinary skills. The greatest manifestation of God’s grace in his life has been the journey of parenting his four children.

Pastor Bill will be the lead Pastor leading our Greater White Plains Cooperative Parish.