New permanent minister appointed at Carrollton First UMC

The Carrollton United Methodist Church has a new permanent minister. 

The Rev. Matthew J. Darrin, former pastor of Howland UMC in Warren, began his new appointment at Carrollton UMC Jan. 4, succeeding the Rev. Brandon Keck, who is on medical leave. 

Darrin is a church growth specialist who led Howland UMC for the past 15 years. Under his leadership, the church quadrupled in size to more than 300 in worship attendance and completed a multimillion-dollar expansion of the building to create space for new people and ministries. 

While leading the Howland church, Darrin also led five smaller area churches around Howland and helped them grow as well. In his previous appointment as senior pastor in Lorain, the church also quadrupled worship attendance to more than 300 and completed a multimillion-dollar building expansion. 

Darrin said he appreciates the warm welcome from the congregation and looks forward to becoming part of the church family. 

Darrin and his wife, Janel, are the parents of four adult children. 

Weekly Sunday services are held at 9 a.m. at Carrollton First UMC at the corner of South Lisbon Street and Thirds Street SE and at 10:30 a.m. at The Bridge, located in the Rosebud Building at the Carroll County Fairgrounds. The public is invited to attend.