God doesn't reveal everything about Himself to us. He wants us to seek Him out; He wants us to get to know Him.

Pastors like David Ryan can aid us in that search.

Ryan is the pastor at Leola United Methodist Church (LUMC), 7 W. Main St. It's a position that has distinct and defined duties and roles, but one that Ryan personalizes with his own character and individuality.

"My job is to help discern God's words," said Ryan. "I don't stand between God and people. In the Protestant faith, people should have a direct connection to God. I can certainly pray for people, but my prayers don't have any more meaning than anyone else's."

From a congregation of 143, LUMC's average weekly attendance hovers around 70 members.

"My job is to encourage them and mainly to love them," said Ryan of the members of his congregation. "People need to know they're loved by God and me. When you're in a congregation, you're not alone. It's my role to help build connections between those people."

As the leader of LUMC, Ryan plans most of the aspects of the worship services. He prepares and presents a weekly sermon, leads Bible studies and visits people in need. Basically, he's charged with the direction of the life of the church.

"Why is a pastor needed? Because people need to connect with and be right with God," said Ryan, a resident of Leola. "My life's mission is to help others delight in God's love. Some of the most rewarding time of ministry for me is when I'm with people in crisis. I take very seriously my sermon responsibilities. I sense that, for most people, it's the most concentrated time to discover what the Scripture has to say."

In the church's 163-year history, LUMC has had 63 pastors.

Ryan is a year and a half into his second stint as Leola United Methodist Church's pastor. Around the turn of the 21st century, he had served in the same role for eight years.

"One of the things we have in United Methodism is diversity, and we want to celebrate diversity," said Ryan. "We have pluralism. We don't have to agree on every belief. I strive not to tell people what to believe but help them discern what they believe themselves. Many people are attracted to that. The thing that I know is God loves us and He desires to be in a personal relationship with us."

A native of Delaware County, Ryan earned a bachelor's degree from Asbury College in Kentucky. He attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a Master of Divinity.

"I became a pastor because God called me to it," said Ryan, who's been a pastor for a total of 39 years. "There is no other reason to do it unless God calls you to do it. When I was 16, I felt a definite calling from God."

"Over the years, I've grown in many ways," added Ryan. "Sermon writing has become much easier for me. Early in ministry, I remember I really wanted everyone to like me. I've grown to know that's just not going to be, and I'm OK with that."

For additional information on Leola United Methodist Church, go to http://www.sites.google.com/view/leola-united-methodist-church/home.