Leadership
Pastor Jeff Pennington
Jeff was blessed to grow up in a Christian home and obeyed the Gospel of Jesus when he was 15 years old. In 1996, he married his wife, Carla. Since then, God has blessed Jeff and Carla with three children: Garrett, Gavin, and Carlee. Jeff and his family have been a part of the Galion GBC family since 2000. Jeff received his Master of Divinity from the CGBCI Schools of Theology and has been pastoring the Galion GBC family since 2007. He is also employed full-time with the City of Galion Fire Department as a Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic.
Pastor Brian Auten
Brian was saved at the age of 10 while not paying attention to the sermon, until the end, when he was convicted of his sin. He repented of his sin and turned his life over to Jesus. At the age of 13, while attending a National Youth Conference at Biola University, he made a commitment to serve the Lord in Christian ministry. Brian and his wife, Ellen, have been married 19 years. They have four children: Reuben, Benjamin, Adali, and Jude. Brian grew up in Ankenytown GBC and was taught in the practorium by Pastor Don Farner. Brian has been in the ministry for 21 years. He has served in Danville GBC preaching for 2 years (1999-2001) and Ankenytown GBC as an intern for 2 years (2001-2003), and he pastored Calvary GBC (Alto, MI) for 8 1/2 years (2004-2012) before moving back to Ohio to pastor at Galion GBC. Brian likes hunting and keeping up with his favorite sports teams.
Pastor Don Farner
Don grew up in a pastor's home and committed his life to the Lord for full-time ministry at a campfire service at Camp Clear Lake in Washington State when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Grace College (BA), Grace Theological Seminary (MDiv), and CGBCI Schools of Theology (DMin). Don has served as a pastor in Grace Brethren churches for more than 50 years (Spokane, WA; West Kittanning, PA; Ashland, OH; Sunnyside, WA; and Ankenytown, OH). After retirement, he joined the staff of Galion GBC as an associate pastor and continues to serve there currently. He taught in local CGBCI Schools of Theology for over 25 years. Don and his wife, Joyce, have been married for 57 years. They have three grown daughters: Beth Farner, Michelle (Bryan) Barlitt, and Melissa (Brian) Kelley, and five grandchildren.