First United Methodist Church of Hope Welcomes New Pastor Rev. Larry E. Kelso
First United Methodist Church of Hope is excited to announce that Reverend Larry E. Kelso of Magnolia has accepted an appointment by the Arkansas United Methodist Conference to pastor the local FUMC, which meets each Sunday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Reverend Kelso was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, and graduated from high school there in 1968. His Bachelor of Arts degree is from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
After several years working in sales and management in a variety of industries, Larry
surrendered to preach in 1982, and on January 1, 1983, became the Director of Christian Education and Activities at Highland Valley United Methodist Church in Little Rock.
In August of 1984, he and his family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where Larry enrolled at Saint Paul School of Theology, receiving his Master of Divinity degree in 1987. He was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1989. Reverend Kelso served in ten pastoral appointments before he retired in 2019.
Grace Kelso, his wife of nearly 55 years, has been his partner in ministry throughout
his career. They have one son, Daniel.
Grace Kelso, his wife of nearly 55 years, has been his partner in ministry throughout
his career. They have one son, Daniel.
Reverend Kelso began his appointment with Hope’s First United Methodist Church on January 1. The local congregation extends an invitation to everyone to meet him at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday and following Sundays at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 S. Elm Street, in Hope.