Our Pastors
Pastor Ken and Sister Norma Otwell
Pastor Ken and Sister Norma moved to Quitman on August 1, 1992. They were both raised in Assembly of God homes and churches and have a strong heritage of Pentecost. Pastor Otwell has led the church in growth including two major building programs during the past 30+ years. They both play instruments and user their talents for the glory of God.
The Otwells met at Nelson University (then Southwestern Assemblies of God University) and have been married for nearly 50 years. They are the proud parents of Nathan and Philip Otwell and grndparents of Canaan, Livvy, Miles, Levi, Jonas, Emmett, and Brooke.
Russell & Nanie Geisler
(and Coen)
Youth Pastors
Youth Pastors Russell and Nanie Geisler both grew up in strong Christian homes and have felt a calling to service from their teen years. Nanie was previously the Children’s Pastor here during 2017-2020. Russell was on staff at Gateway Church for 12 years. They met in 2019, fell in love, and married in June 2020. They served at Gateway Church for two years and welcomed thei son, Coen Tate, in October 2021.
The decision to move back to East Texas and take the role of Youth Pastors was an easy one! They had felt the Lord preparing them for this transition for about a year! Russell and Nanie love this community and want to train and empower this next generation as they become the next leaders in our communities and churches!
Kari Clanton
Children’s Ministry Leader
Kari has been a member of Quitman First Assembly of God for seven years and became Children’s Ministry Leader over four years ago. She started a van ministry to provide transportation for the kids, a need that grew such that the church purchased a second van. Besides being a great teacher, she organized, with our Youth Pastors, a Prayer Buddy ministry, matching each child and youth with an adult. At the beginning of the school year, the kids and their prayer buddy meet, eat and pray together, and share a time engaging in various activities.
Kari’s ministry includes:
Altared Kids on Sunday mornings, a church service specifically for children with age-appropriate worship and teaching
Wednesday night service when the kids enjoy a meal, then have age-appropriate prayer, sharing, worship, and Bible teaching and some games.