The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On Sunday, October 6th the Union Church did something it hasn’t done for 43 years, it issued a call for a new Senior Pastor. Rev. Rick Goettsche has been called to become Senior Pastor on February 1st 2025 when his father, Rev. Bruce Goettsche will officially retire.
Rick has been the Associate Pastor for the church for the last 18 years, working with his dad. He has a bachelor’s degree from SIUE in Edwardsville and a Master’s Degree in Religion from Liberty University. Rick has been splitting the preaching duties with his dad for the last three years. He looks forward to continuing and hopefully expanding the work begun during his dad’s tenure.
Rick is married to his wife Ashlee who works as a counselor in the La Harpe School. He has two daughters, Grace and Glory, and their dog, Lilly.
While the church prepares for new leadership, they have set October 27th as the day for the church and the community to celebrate the ministry of current Pastor, Bruce Goettsche. There will be a program at 2:00 p.m. in the La Harpe School Gymnasium. The entire community is invited to thank God for 43 years of blessing.
Many have benefited from Bruce’s years of service in La Harpe through weddings, funerals, substitute teaching, counseling, daily devotionals, the daily and Sunday “God’s Truth for Daily Living” Radio Ministry, Bible studies, the 20 books he has written, Christian Concerts, his yearly talk at the MDH Hospice Service of Remembrance, the weekly church livestream, or just visiting with him as a member of the community. Pastors around the world have taken advantage of the church sermon archive. You are all invited to give thanks for Bruce’s time in La Harpe.
This is intended as a community event. Following the program, there will be refreshments and time to share personal stories and comments with Bruce.