CARLYLE - Rodney Cox is the newly ordained reverend at the local Full Gospel Church.
Cox and his family have purchased a home and moved to Carlyle from North Battleford on Sept. 1.
Cox was born in Hafford and moved to North Battleford in 1988. After four years attending the Fountain of Life Ministry in Prince Albert, he graduated in 2008 with a master’s degree in pastoral ministry and clinical counselling. He returned to North Battleford in 2010 and worked as a counsellor in the private sector.
He became associate pastor of the Living Faith Chapel in North Battleford in 2013 and until this year was supervising a group home for girls in the Social Services system. The opportunity to practise in Carlyle presented itself and the family decided to relocate.
Cox has family roots in the area. His grandparents were Asa and Mabel Fox who resided near Cannington Manor. His mother was Gladys Fox and he is the first cousin of Wade.
The Carlyle Full Gospel Church operates under the umbrella of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada, or ACOP. The Carlyle congregation was established in 1929 and over the years there have been several renovations and upgrades.
In the fall of 1986, a new sanctuary was built and open for worship. The following February, the fellowship hall and kitchen facilities were completed, and this church was dedicated in September 1987.
Cox plans on giving his local congregation a long-time commitment.
“I welcome all newcomers and especially wish to focus on connecting with the community,” he said. “Carlyle is a great town and a great place to live. I look forward to meeting everyone.”
Cox is married to Gail, who is presently a substitute educational assistant. They have three children, Ashley, who still resides in North Battleford, Megan, who is employed at the Carlyle Dairy Queen, and William, who works at the Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Plains Co-op. Cox enjoys exercising, playing the guitar and cheering for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Carlyle Full Gospel Church is located on Fourth Street West. Services are held every Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m.