Rene' Devantier - Pastor - Contact

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I was born on July 7th, 1964 in Berlin, W. Germany and raised in Germany by my Grandmother; my parents were divorced at age 6, and my younger brother went into an orphanage. I lived with my grandmother till the age of 16 when I moved to the USA to live with my mother. There were two things pretty steady in my life. One was my love of soccer, and the other was my hunger for something deeper, even bigger. My mother died in 1988 and the shock and awe of her passing ignited my search for God. Though I tried again and again for many years, my search proved elusive until later in my life. Finally, at age 35 it would be my love for soccer and the kids I was coaching that would lead me to a place that would satisfy that deep hunger (Jesus).

 

I am Married to Jennifer, and we have 4 children and 1 Granddaughter, but the only one left at home is Ryan who is 15 and has special needs…Jen and I met in the mid 80’s and dated for a few years. She went off to college and I went off to Texas. We then lost touch with each other. We both raised families and after divorces reconnected through Facebook 20 years later. I moved back to WA in 2009, we got married, and here we are…thank you Facebook. Jen is a nurse and she works as a nurse manager at the Riverfront Kaiser location. Ryan goes to Central Valley High in a special needs class.

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Before coming back to Washington in 2009 I spent 11 years in Texas serving several churches along the Gulf of Mexico. Since moving to Washington from Texas we have served 2 churches on the other side of the mountains. We have settled in, all our boxes are unpacked, Ryan loves his new school, Jen works at Kaiser Permanente where she manages several specialized doctors’ offices, and I was ready to once again serve a church. When early this summer Fowler United Methodist was beginning to look for a new pastor, I seemed to fit the bill. I have been serving Fowler since July 2019, and it has been a lot of fun. Come and see…

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Well, let us fast forward to November 2023...

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A lot of things have happened in the past 4 years, and here are the cliff notes...at least for church.

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Early 2020 Covid-19 followed began followed by several mutating siblings.

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June 20,2021 Fowler began slowly to return in person worship. I emphasize slowly, because after all we are Methodists and we do most things very methodical (slow). No singing, no hugging, no eating, no hand shaking and of course you might remember the 6 foot rule. Where we once had several African families as part of our Fowler church family, because of all these rules within our church (Most other churches did not work so methodical) they found a new church home where they are very happy.

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Around the beginning of 2022 we were pretty much back to before Covid-19, except much cleaner...but of course the other shoe was about to drop.

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May 2022 was the birth of the Global Methodist Church (Yup, can you say church split?). Fowler was pretty evenly divided between Conservatives and Liberals. All the Conservative Christian left and joined other churches in town (very, very painful...still grieving).

 

 Dec 2022 God bangs René over the head with a 2x4. Fowler is on the path of birthing NewDay.

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What dreams do we have? 

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“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” Included in that scripture should of course be “invited those with special needs into my house”. 

 

It is our dream to create a space where all people are received equal, regardless of their particular gifts or special needs. Where all people can partake of worship…feel included…feel wanted and accepted. 

It is our dream to fulfill what Jesus talked about in Matthew. 

It is our dream to share the Kingdom of God with all of the world. 

It is our dream to help create A NewDay in other cities and states 

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Nov 2023, with the help of so many (I won't name any, you know who you are) we have transformed our building, our minds and our hearts...that was phase 1...check out our GoFundMe link on top of the page to get all caught up, or come and visit, or watch our worship live on FB or on U-Tube or thru our worship links on this site.

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Dec 2023, begins face 2. Now that the building is 75% ready we are beginning to create relations ships all over town with organizations working and caring for people with disabilities...

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Luke talks to us in 1:78-79 - God’s Word Bible (GW)   

“A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful.  He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death’s shadow.  He will guide us   into the way of peace.” 

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God has led Fowler UMC to open our hearts and our doors to a group of people who have not had a presence or a voice in our churches. Through NewDay here at Fowler UMC we are wanting to serve and walk side by side people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their caregivers and their families.   

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At NewDay we are envisioning a community of people with and without disabilities where all can find meaning, purpose, and opportunities to contribute as well as to receive. A community which provides all people with a space to worship, learn and live out our faith in Jesus.     

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A community that says, “I am not alone on my journey.” Where everyone is valued, has a voice, and belongs.    

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We believe that it is our charge to create a space where we can design and plan worship together, where all of our gifts and ideas might help mold the space and time we set aside to be with God.  

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That is my story and I'm sticking to it, you want to hear the rest of the story, you'll have to come and see (that's what Jesus said). So come and see...

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PS I know this is not really a Bio, but then, in a way it is.

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Peace, René

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David Miranda - Music Coordinator - Contact

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     David studied Flute as a Flute Performance Major for 2 years at CWU. He can play the flute, guitar, bass and sing. He has some skill in piano and saxophone. He was the Music Director at Auburn First United Methodist Church from October 2016 till June of 2021. He has an Associates of Arts and Science, Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, and is currently working on a Masters of Data Science.

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Diane Strobeck - Office Manager - Contact

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     Diane is a woman that has answered the call to serve time and time again. This began at birth, being raised in her Military family in Tacoma, Washington. Diane’s early years were spent in Germany, then settled in Southwest Oklahoma. Lawton Oklahoma is the home to Fort Sill where her father was stationed until retirement. Diane graduated High School in 1983 and went to college at Cameron University.

           

     In 1996, she met her husband, Bill Strobeck, a Soldier stationed at Fort Sill. They married two years later and this is where her selfless service began to flourish.  Within two years, the family went from 2 to 6.  Blending her two boys with two boys from Bill’s previous marriage. Diane was the glue that held the family together while Bill served in the Army. 

     

     2005, back in Southwest Oklahoma we landed on our feet once again, finding the Boy Scouts and a great Methodist church. Diane became a leader in cub scouts and still serves on multiple committee’s within Scouts BSA. Diane’s has a true desire to Serve God. Since 2010, Diane has served in the role of Ministries assistant in multiple churches, and has been a part of many ministries throughout the church.

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