Retired pastor, author celebrates Havre roots at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church

Press release

According to a Pew Research study of American religious life, atheists, agnostics, and "no" religion at all, make up 23 precent of our population, an increase of 6 percent in just six years. If you are one of these persons with no faith, faltering faith, or a desire to help someone who is struggling with belief then "God Incidents: Real Life Stories to Strengthen and Restore Your Faith" is a book you should read.

Written by the Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Wagner, "God-Incidents," a best-selling book in communities where Glenn has served, uses real life stories, Biblical lessons, and historical examples to offer new perspectives on faith as a help for those who are wrestling with questions about God. The author, recently retired as a United Methodist pastor after 40 years of ministry, will be coming to preach at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, 410 Fifth Ave. at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 10. Brother Van, for whom the church is named, was a co-officiant at the wedding of Wagner's grandparents, the late LeRoy and Jeanne (Maris) Rhodes, 100 years ago on Sunday, June 9, 1918.

Visitors are welcome. Signed copies of Wagner's book will be available for purchase. The book's cover and graphics were done by Glenn's cousin Ann Rhodes-Riebe of Columbia Falls. "God-Incidents" can also be used for book study groups. Discussion questions for each chapter and course outlines for groups of varying lengths are offered at the back of each book.

A recent reviewer said of Wagner, "Rarely do you find someone who is accomplished as a preacher, or a teacher, or a story teller. Glenn Wagner does all three of these things extremely well. He is inspirational." Another wrote, "Best orator I know. His words always carry a huge impact on people."

Prior to his retirement in December of 2016 as pastor of Grand Haven, Michigan's United Methodist Church of the Dunes, Wagner previously served Michigan congregations in North Muskegon and in Holt, Michigan. In Muskegon he was vice chair of Muskegon County Community Mental Health Board, vice chair of Harbor Hospice, Chairman of the West Shore Committee for Jewish Christian Dialogue and host of a local TV program, "Sunday's Lessons." Congregations Wagner has served in Illinois, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan and England helped to establish a scholarship in his name at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary to train promising candidates for ministry in 2006. Glenn has also traveled extensively. He has studied in the Middle East and served as a missionary in Taiwan. Most recently he served as co-chair of the design team tasked by the 800 United Methodist Churches in Michigan to create a single new conference.

According to Mac McGrew, pastor of Van Orsdel, "Glenn also has deep Montana roots."

Wagner is returning to Havre to honor his grandparents on the centennial of their wedding. Jeanne Maris, a popular Havre school teacher, wed LeRoy Rhodes, a prominent Havre attorney who also served as clerk of the Havre School Board and was a 30-year trustee for the church.

Rev. E.J. Huston, then pastor at Van Orsdel also presided with Brother Van at the ceremony which was postponed until Sunday evening at the church due to a power outage in the morning.

LeRoy and Jeanne raised in Havre four children, Cecil, Bryce, Keith and Wagner's mother, Doris Rhodes, who was wed to Wagner's father, David Wagner, in the same church 67 years ago. Jeanne was named Montana Mother of the Year in 1953. Their three sons, Cecil, Bryce, and Keith were all veterans of World War II. Cecil's widow, Carolyn (Kuhr) Rhodes, a native of Havre will be present for the service.

Additional descendants of Jeanne and LeRoy Rhodes who will be in Havre for the weekend for a family reunion will be recognized at the service.

"I am grateful to the people of Van Orsdel for helping to nurture my faith during regular visits to Havre," Wagner said.

The extended family still shares interest in land north of Havre including property originally homesteaded by great grandparents.

A portion of the proceeds from Wagner's book benefit Lambs Farm, a world class community for special needs adults, including Jane Wagner, Glenn's sister who is featured in the book's second chapter. The book is also available in print for $20 online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google, and I-Tunes. It is also available in e-versions through the same sites for less than ten dollars.

"God-Incidents" is endorsed by two United Methodist Bishops. A simple way to learn more about the book, link to a preview of the book, or to booksellers to direct order in paperback or e-book is through the website http://www.glennmwagner.com/.