ASHLAND — Members of Grace Nazarene Church in Ashland will take time Sunday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pastor Richard Suman leading their congregation.

“They’ve been a great church to work for,” Suman said last week as he reflected on his service at the church at the intersection of Blackburn Avenue and 29th Street in South Ashland since his arrival on the first Sunday in November 1984.

“This is a church of good people who accept you for what you are. I try to be a good pastor. I think I am a people person. It is important for me to be a part of their life — to know when they are hurting and be there, not just from the pulpit but to be there for them in life. I think people want a pastor who will be there and love them,” he said. “I love what I’m doing because it is a calling.”

Born and raised in Decatur, Ind., Suman was the oldest of five children and lived much of his early life in northwest Ohio. The son of a minister, Suman said many predicted he would follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I’ve always felt the calling to the ministry,” he said, recalling his first duties as a youth minister in Lima, Ohio, followed by ministerial work in Midway, Ohio and then his first full-time pastor’s positions in the “corn country” of Dekalb, Mount Prospect and Champagne, Ill. Suman said he came to Ashland when a friend told him about a church here in need of a new pastor.

Former Ashland Fire Chief Jim Hogsten said he has known Suman since his arrival in Ashland 25 years ago.

“He is my mentor and he has personally been a blessing to that church,” Hogsten said.

“He absolutely loves children and they all love him. He is always on the go and he is there when you need him,” Hogsten said adding it is not uncommon for children at church to try to join the pastor in the pulpit while he is delivering a sermon.

Louonna Estep, a church member since before Suman even arrived here, said she and others in the church have always been amazed at Suman’s commitment to visiting church members at hospitals near and far, often arriving at such facilities before the patient is admitted.

“He is a very caring person. When you meet him you feel like you’ve known him all his life,” Estep said. “If you need him, he is there.”

As a pastor, Estep said Suman “carries a great burden for the lost. We’re his flock and he is a good shepherd.”

Church board member and treasurer Dan Duncan said, “Pastor Suman is more than just my pastor. He is a brother in Christ. He is always there for his church family, whether it’s medical, physical, personal or spiritual. He has a great sense of humor, and uses it well. If there is anything he can do to help alleviate a situation, he is the first to react.

“Celebrating 25 years as pastor is a great accomplishment. We have a plaque with former pastors listed, and Suman has almost served as pastor longer than all the others combined.”

Suman said he owes an incredible amount of gratitude to the members of Grace Nazarene Church, citing the benefit of their collective prayers on his behalf while recovering from multiple health problems including a hip replacement, blood clots in both lungs, prostate cancer and open heart surgery.

They have been there for every one of my crises,” he said with obvious sincerity, appreciation and affection. “This church went to prayer and now I’m doing great. I do want to tell the church and the community thanks for accepting us into their church and community.”

A program to honor Suman and his wife Donna will take place in lieu of Sunday School classes Sunday morning, and a reception in their honor has been scheduled for after regular Sunday’s regular service.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com (606) 326-2651.