THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407270147
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Religion
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
RUFFIN ALPHIN grew up on his parents' farm in Zuni, went to high school and college, then returned to the farm.
And then something happened to change his life.
He had graduated from Windsor High School and earned a degree in animal science from Virginia Tech. Then, with his young bride from Ivor, Dorothy Ballard, he began pursuing a farming career with his dad and brother.
``It was during that time that God began to change my desires,'' said Alphin, 39.
He said he began to feel the tug of God's call to enter another arena of planting and cultivating - that of the gospel ministry.
About two years after he returned to farming, Alphin accepted a position as interim pastor at the Western Branch Baptist Church in Suffolk.
Three months later, he packed up his family and headed for Temple Baptist Theological Seminary in Chattanooga, Tenn.
From there, they moved to Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., where Alphin received his master's of divinity degree in 1984.
He was a pastor in that area for two years, then moved to Pittsburgh to be pastor at a Bible Church for the next nine years.
``Then I decided I wanted to get involved in the Presbyterian Church in America denomination, because I think I fit best there theologically,'' Alphin said.
The decision helped bring Alphin back home this summer - not to the family farm in Zuni, but to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Suffolk, as its new pastor.
Alphin corresponded with the search committee from Westminster for more than a year before taking the job. After several interviews and visits, he was convinced, and so was the committee.
``We were very impressed by him and his family,'' said Dr. David Eich, chairman of the group. ``He's a powerful preacher, a capable administrator, and we consider he and his family to be a terrific asset to our church and community.''
Alphin and his wife have three children: Allison, 17; Adam, 14; and Anna, 11. All three will attend Portsmouth Christian School in the fall.
``The hardest part about coming was moving our children because of their ages,'' Alphin said.
The Alphins have received an enthusiastic welcome in Suffolk. Since their first Sunday, June 12, the church has had record-breaking summer attendance, averaging around 175 people.
``The people have been tremendous,'' Alphin said. ``We couldn't have asked for a warmer reception. . . . We've seen quite a cultural difference between here and Pittsburgh in the warmness and friendliness of people.''
Alphin said he has found the Westminster congregation to be a good mix - a strong, committed group of retired people and a large number of families with children 12 and under.
He described ``preaching, teaching and worship planning and administration'' as his strengths. He plans to focus on four things: worship, teaching, fellowship and outreach.
``There's a real level of excitement here,'' Alphin said. ``I'm tremendously excited about the possibilities and the potential.'' MEMO: Westminster Presbyterian Church is at 312 East Constance Road. For more
information, call 539-0540.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
The Rev. Ruffin Alphin of Westminster Presbyterian Church, a
graduate of Windsor High and Virginia Tech, left the family farm for
a seminary. He is described as a ``powerful preacher and a capable
administrator.''
by CNB