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By: 
Staff Writer

Rev. Philip Balla to lead St John's Church Genoa
 
     Rev. Philip Balla has been called as the new pastor to St. John’s United Church of Christ, Genoa, after a two-year search for a new pastor.
 
    Balla started at St. John’s on Jan. 1.
 
    The search committee responsible for his calling said, “We found Philip to be a great match. He is young, energetic and has an amazing resume. We also found Philip to be very personable, easy to talk with and well-spoken.”
 
    Balla was born in Toledo and raised in Rossford. He has spent 14 years in preparation of his ministry. In 2015, Balla earned a B.A. in Ministry Studies and a B.S. in Psychology from Defiance College. He was given a full scholarship and stipend from Harvard Divinity School from which he graduated with his M.Div. in 2018.
 
     After three years at Harvard, he applied for and was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Fordham University in New York City. Always keeping close to his passion for ministry throughout his academic pursuits, Balla became fully ordained in October 2022 and accepted a part-time call at Memorial UCC, Toledo, where he led that ministry while completing his Ph.D.
 
    Balla is passionately committed to the work of parish and community ministry and sees his extensive academic preparation as the tools in his spiritual tool belt.
 
    In the few weeks that Balla has been working, he has outlined his ministry to be made up of two main categories: internal and external.
 
    He believes: “external ministries are important as they are relational intersections between St. John’s and any person or organization beyond it, such as doing things in the greater Genoa community. Internal ministries concentrate on all the things one does to support and develop the life of the church itself. My intention is to put pressure on myself and on  our consistory to attend to both equally.”
 
    Balla may be reached at 419-346-5304, 419-855-3906 at pastor@stjohnsgenoa.org.
 
    St. John’s United Church of Christ services are held Sundays at 10 a.m. at 1213 Washington St., Genoa. Sunday School begins at 9 a.m. for children. Balla hosts Bible Studies on Wednesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. All are welcome.
 
Humane Society holds elections
 
    The Humane Society of Ottawa County held their annual general election on Jan. 8. Three incumbent members were reelected to the board of directors, including Lara Bischoff, Marty Mortus and Sue Sradeja. The board welcomed three new members – Abbey Bahs, Jennifer Balduf and Ileana Garza.
 
    Officers elected for 2025 include Marty Mortus, president; Sue Sradeja, vice-president; Mary Anne Koebel, treasurer and Megan Ellis, secretary.
 
    Lesa Heredia, shelter director, gave a report of activities at the shelter in 2024. A total of 190 animals came into the shelter including 139  cats and 51 dogs. A total of 105 cats and 49 dogs were adopted. All animals at the shelter that are available for adoption are posted on the Humane Society website, humanesocietyofottawacounty.org.
 
    The Humane Society of Ottawa County Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Ciao Bella, 3880 Harbor Light Landing, Port Clinton. Meetings are open to the public.

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