Ian Solodky, who became the part-time pastor at Mount Zion United Methodist Church (UMC), 753 Mount Zion Road, Narvon, on July 17, has a message for area residents. "I want them to know this is a safe place and that we all have had hurts, hang-ups, and habits, but Jesus is the way to get past those," said Solodky.

The invitation is offered based on his personal testimony. "I got here by an act of God," he explained. "I have no formal education for (pastoring yet). I have the Bible, my experiences, and my convictions." Solodky's path to Mount Zion has been long and sometimes dark. "I was led into the valley of the shadow of death," he said. "My God, whom I love, had to break me to get me to understand the proper way to fill in the cracks (in my soul) that I believe we all have."

Growing up in Manheim Township, Solodky became interested in emergency services when his sister was in an auto accident. He became a firefighter with the Eden station and took part in the first paramedic training program held at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, graduating in 2001. He served with emergency medical services in Strasburg, married his high school sweetheart, and had three children.

Solodky referred to his time as a paramedic as his "pre-Christian life." "When I started relying on (God's) understanding instead of my understanding, my life was completely transformed," he explained. "I am still a sinner, but ... I am compelled to spread the Good News." To reach out to those in need, Solodky became involved in a food ministry at Long Memorial United Methodist Church in Neffsville. "I felt my ministry was to be help those people who were (struggling) as I once was," he said.

In 2015, he began working for Line Pro Inc. He and the owner of the company began attending group meetings held by local pastors who recognized Solodky's gift for ministry. "(The pastors) kept saying, 'You would be a good pastor. Why don't you start the (training) process?'" Solodky recalled. He kept refusing, but in May, he was told of a small church about 45 minutes from his home in Mount Joy. "They said, 'We think you would be a great fit.'" Solodky said no again, but he agreed to pray on the subject, and he met with the district superintendent of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the UMC. With approval from the conference and completed background checks, Solodky met with Mount Zion elders, who voted to accept him as pastor.

Solodky plans to complete his schooling during an intensive UMC training program in early 2023. In addition to preaching, he has begun making house visits to church members. "I love what this church stands for," he said, reading the Zion mission statement, which expresses the importance of knowing God and making Him known so church members can return God's love as witnesses and followers. He has taken note of the wisdom of the congregants. "They have learned about who Jesus is and how He is working in their lives," he said, adding that he has felt welcomed. "This church has thrown their arms around me and made me feel comfortable," he shared.

Mount Zion currently holds Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m. More information may be found at http://mzumchurch.net.