Rev. Kenneth Simon to mark 20th pastoral anniversary

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, community leader and pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., will be honored for his 20th pastoral anniversary during a celebration next month.

The event is planned for Oct. 23 at Ciminero’s Banquet Centre, 123 W. Main St., Niles. Reception and serving of hors d’oeuvres will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6.

The Rev. Mr. Simon is a son of Florence H. Simon and the late Rev. Lonnie K.A. Simon.

He was called to the ministry in 1990 and ordained in 1993. He served as assistant pastor and director of Christian education at New Bethel. In 1995, he was called to the pastorate of the church, where he currently serves after succeeding his father who was pastor for 33 years.

He is a graduate of East High School and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Youngstown State University. He received biblical and religious training from the Evangelical Training Association, Wheaton, Ill., and the Christian Study Center.

Mr. Simon is chairman of the Community Mobilization Coalition, vice moderator of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association, worship leader for the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention and Ohio Baptist General Convention, co-convener of Youngstown/Warren Dr. Martin Luther King Planning Commission, school board member of Southside Academy, a member and former president of Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, treasurer of Baptist Pastors’ Council, a board member of Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership and Greater Youngstown Crimestoppers and vice president of the 100 Black Men Organization, Youngstown/Warren Chapter.

He also serves on the Academic Distress Commission for the Youngstown City School District, is president of Jubilee Christian Community Development Corp., and a member of Youngstown-Warren Black Caucus.

He has served as president of the board of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches, former chairman and board member of the Mayor’s Human Relations Commission, a board member for the Western Reserve Port Authority and is a graduate of Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2002.

Mr. Simon is married to the former Wendy Wainwright, and they are the parents of three children, Keisha, Kenny and David, and have four grandchildren.

Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger. Checks should be made payable to New Bethel Baptist Altar Guild. For information, contact Diane Graham, guild president, at 330-782-4273 or 330-540-2389 or by email to Dgraham10@neo.rr.com.