The United Methodist Church of Kent is a multi-age and diverse congregation located in Kent, Ohio.
You are welcome here: The United Methodist Church of Kent joyously proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and follows the example of Jesus in welcoming all. We welcome, affirm, and celebrate persons of every age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, family configuration, marital status, political affiliation, faith history, economic status, educational background, and developmental or physical ability. All are invited to share in this community of faith, where we are growing in a relationship with Christ that empowers us to serve the world in Christian love.
Church Services
8:30 AM Traditional Service
9:30 AM Contemporary Service
10:30 AM Traditional Service
Pastoral Staff
Rev. Nathan Howe, Senior Pastor
Nathan began serving as pastor of the UMC of Kent in July 2023. Beyond our United Methodist connection, he has served on boards of directors for community centers, Habitat for Humanity, and community hospice care centers. Nathan received a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Northern University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary. He is married to Megan, and together, they enjoy spending time with family and exploring the Kent community and local parks.
Rev. Bob Machovec, Minister of Pastoral Care
Bob returns to the UMC of Kent after over 40 years of ministry. Through the years, Bob has served churches in the East Ohio Conference, starting in joining the staff as Associate Minister in Kent from 1980-1985. After retiring from the East Ohio Conference in 2016, Bob has worked as a Hospice Chaplain. Bob and his wife, Janet, have two adult children – Stephen and Becky. When not involved in the church, Bob enjoys golfing, biking, traveling and going for walks with Janet, and learning to play his hammer dulcimer.
We were church shopping and happened to attend on the day Dr. Palmer gave a sermon on the “Mark of the Beast”. Never left since.
The first Sunday I attended, Becky Shrank and Pat Baldwin sang a duet. I joined the choir that week because of them and sang in the choir 25 years. I’ve attended here since then.
My husband and I moved to Kent 2.5 years ago. The first time we visited the church we knew we had found our spiritual home.
I started coming to this church when I was 4 or 5. I had no religious experience. My neighbor took me to the old church 68 years ago and I loved it. Our church has given me the strength to carry on when our lives became so tangled in family troubles.