The Rev. Michael B. Merrill, pastor of Parma Christian Fellowship in Hilton, received the Doctor of Ministry degree at Northeastern Seminary on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan College on Saturday, May 19. Merrill was part of the first cohort of doctoral students at the seminary. His dissertation was entitled, "The Five Basic Emotions: A New Systems Approach," and he developed an emotional systems inventory for use in counseling, plus trained a team of "paraclete" helpers for the church's ministries to people. A "paraclete" is a person who "draws alongside" and is able to help, counsel, guide or encourage persons in critical or chronic situations. Merrill has served churches in the Hilton area since 1980. Parma Christian Fellowship also sponsors Parma Free Center, a preschool program, and Centro Educativo Verdad y Vida (Truth and Life Educational Center) in Morazan, Honduras. The church is located at 155 Lake Avenue in Hilton, at the old St. Leo's building. For information about the church call (585) 392-5792 or go to www.parmachristianfellowship.org. June 3, 2007 |
