Nazarene church sees active pastor, family reassigned

The O'Neill family has been active in the community at all levels. Pictured above, from left, are: Brenden, Shelly, Ryan, Sean and Michael O'Neill.

The Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene has announced the departure of Pastor Michael O'Neill and his family.

Pastor O'Neill has accepted the call to be lead pastor at the West Valley Church of the Nazarene in Yakima, Wash.

A reception is being held in honor of the couple at the Hampton Inn in Mountain Home on Tuesday, Jan. 5, from 5-9 p.m. The public is invited.

Pastor O'Neill has served the church and community for over 11 years. Under his leadership, the church has expanded its current facilities and ministries and developed and hired associate pastoral staff.

He also led the church through a relocation effort that resulted in the purchase of 21 acres and a capital campaign that has so far raised over $600,000 dollars toward the development of the new property. Plans have been drawn that involve a new 20,000-square-foot-plus facility and eight acres of green space for recreational use that will all be multifunctional for the church and community.

O'Neill also has served on the Northwest Nazarene University Board of Trustees.

Pastor O'Neill and his family have been involved in the community. He has served as an officer on the board of the Community Action Coalition, the Youth Center Redevelopment Task Force, the WECRD Leadership Team, the Community Leadership Development Committee, the Western Regional Institute for Community Oriented Public Safety, the Idaho Department of Corrections Task Force on Faith-Based Initiatives to Stem Recidivism, and most recently the Advisory Board of the Center for Community Health and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Through Pastor O'Neill's leadership the church also has been involved in the community through hosting support and community groups, providing food and resources to those in need, and organized hosting of the Winter Special Olympics delegation from Uzbekistan. He also organized this year's city light parade.

His wife, Shelly, has served on numerous school and community committees, the Mountain Home Youth Soccer Association Board, and organized and hosted the annual community Ladies' Holiday Tea.

Their three boys, Sean, Ryan and Brenden, have served in several school leadership and peer assistance groups, and played soccer on the high school team.

The church has begun the process of seeking a new pastor. The church will be led by its board and interim pastors until a new pastor is selected.