Ministerial Services announced the hiring of three elders into the full-time ministry of the United Church of God. From a long list of candidates the Church made an offer to three men, and all three have accepted the offer.

They begin work after the Feast of Tabernacles as assistant pastors in their local areas. After a year of training in the local area plus additional training by Ministerial Services at the home office, each will be given an assignment during the summer of 2007.

Ronald Kelley and his wife, Nancy, will be hired to assist Randy Stiver in the Columbus and Cambridge, Ohio, area. Jonathan Pinelli and his wife, Debbie, will be hired to assist Lyle Welty in the Cincinnati East AM and PM congregations. And Paul Carter and his wife, Tracy, will be hired to assist Mike Blackwell in the Springfield and Joplin, Missouri, and Harrison, Arkansas, congregations.