Sathoff: Teacher to preacher

Art Sathoff, beginning his second year as superintendent for the Fairfield Community School District, recently added another responsibility to his week as pastor at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fairfield.

He completed a three-year licensed ministry program through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest in October 2009.

?I was very involved in my church in Packwood, serving as Sunday school teacher and elder,? he said. ?The pastor there encouraged me to become a licensed minister.?

Sathoff began guest preaching at area churches. He was asked to lead services in Fairfield on Palm Sunday and Easter.

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has undergone dramatic outward changes this past year; selling its old brick structure at Third Street and Burlington Avenue, having the full-time pastor leave and moving to a smaller building on the south side of town in April.

?The church had various guest speakers, then held a congregational vote and asked me to take the pastor position,? said Sathoff. ?We have a devoted core of church members, and we?ve increased attendance in the past few months.

?Back in high school, I thought about the ministry, but then I went in a different direction and forgot about it.?

Sathoff taught English at Pekin High School for several years, came to the Fairfield school district in 2009 to be high school principal for two years before stepping up a year ago to superintendent of the district.

?I?m enjoying being the pastor at church,? he said. ?I enjoy working with people; and with a coaching background, I feel I can help people. I?m not afraid of public speaking, and it?s easy for me to work with others, listen and encourage.?

He used some of his summer time to write sermon messages.

?I?m an organized kind of guy; I like to have a couple weeks? ahead ready,? he said. ?I read a lot, so I?ll add interesting things to some of my messages, but I follow the church lectionary.

?I love Fairfield, and I?m pleased to be able to serve and have one more way to connect to the community.?