By: John Winright
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Andrea Cheeseman is the new pastor at the Fayette United Methodist Church in Fayette, Ohio, having started in this new position approximately seven weeks ago.
Reverend Cheeseman was born in Springfield, Ohio to Jeff and Mary Beth Cheeseman. She has one sister Mallory.
Andrea graduated from Catholic Central High School and then went on to Wittenberg University and majored in psychology and fine art.
Upon graduation she worked as a social worker for a short time. In preparation for the pastorate, she attended United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where she received her Masters in Divinity Degree.
She became an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church in 2013 and then an associate pastor at Linworth United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio.
Reverend Cheesman accepted the position here in Fayette in February of this year. She says, “I am passionate about missions and community ministries. I believe God’s love is open and available to all of us and it is our job as the church to help people where they are and to love them and welcome them into the Body of Christ.”
One of her passions is fighting against human trafficking and the churches retreat in May will feature a speaker from the “Daughter Project” in Toledo, Ohio. This is a group that ministers to victims of human trafficking.
Reverend Cheeseman says that she has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities she has had to travel to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on mission trips. Andrea says, “In these countries the United Methodist Church is growing in leaps and bounds and the people are very spiritual. Their faith in the face of the poverty and adversity that they face is very encouraging.”
On a personal note, Reverend Cheeseman enjoys knitting, cooking, painting and black and white photography.
When asked what she would you say to someone who is considering following in her footsteps in ministry, Andrea says, “Know who you are as a person but most importantly, know who you are in Christ.
The village of Fayette has just received a great new addition to their community. This young lady is going to be a tremendous asset to all of you. We wish her nothing but the best as she pursues this new chapter of her life.
John may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com