Submitted photoBenjamin Stears and wife Sarah with their children Jonathan, Caleb, Hannah and Rebekah.

NorthPark Church in Meridian has named Benjamin Stears as its pastor.

Dan Peterson, NorthPark administrative pastor, said he believes God led Stears to the church.

“Over the 18 months since we lost our long time leader, Pastor Earl Wheatley, NorthPark went through a very deliberate process in finding the next spiritual leader for our church, and I believe God has led us to the right person for this stage in the life and mission of this church,” Peterson said. “I am very excited to see what is in store for us at NorthPark and for the community at large under Pastor Ben’s leadership.

“In the brief time that I have worked with Pastor Ben, it is clear to me that he feels a true calling from God, and that calling is to build on the foundation that Pastor Wheatley and this congregation has built over the years.

Stears said he hopes to continue Wheatley’s legacy.

“Pastor Earl meant a lot not only to this church but to this city,” Stears said. “He was a person who really did use his influence and his life to bring about unity and reconciliation, and to lead the way in that.”

After serving 15 years in various positions at Indian Creek Community Church in Kansas City, Stears said he felt God was calling him as a lead pastor.

“It is something my wife and I were humbled and excited about,” Stears said. “So, we began to let others know, and after about a year, we were led to NorthPark. The more we read about Meridian we realized this was where God was calling us. We have never lived in the South, but God gave us a burden for this city and church.

“We are eager to live life, and to really see God’s kingdom come here, to see grace, mercy, and redemption.”

Stears, who was ordained in 2006 with the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His ministry experience includes large church leadership team member, gardner campus pastor, teaching team member, lead associate pastor, family ministry team leader, communications supervisor, missions team leader and student ministry leader.

“Though I pursued my undergraduate education as an electrical engineer, ministry is where I found passion and purpose,” Stears said. “There is nothing more significant than investing oneself to see others raised to life in Jesus Christ.”

Stears and his wife Sarah have four children, Jonathan, Caleb, Hannah and Rebekah.

“As my family and I make Meridian our home, one of the things I am eager to discover is ways the church can truly engage and bless our community,” Stears said. “Our vision and hope is this will be a church where people drive by and say, thank goodness NorthPark is here. We are really excited to be a part of a church that really cares and loves.”