Kathleen Tuttle/Special to the Eagle

Pastor Bill Beebe and his wife, Carol, stand by the sign in front of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Kathleen Tuttle/Special to the Eagle

Wesley United Methodist Church Pastor Bill Beebe at his desk in his new office.

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Caring, compassionate and gentle are the words that come to mind when describing the new Wesley United Methodist Church’s minister, the Rev. William A. Beebe — or just Bill as he prefers to be called.

Beebe is one of four new pastors to come to Marco Island this year — the Reverend Dr. E. Neil Hunt, senior minister for the United Church of Marco Island; the Rev. William Lyle, senior pastor of Marco Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Kevin A. Koenig, Pastor of Marco Lutheran Church.

Beebe came to Marco from DeLeon Springs United Methodist Church. DeLeon Springs is a rural farming community west of Daytona Beach where he served as pastor. He was born in Connecticut, lived in New Jersey, went to Union College in Kentucky, and Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago. He served two churches in Illinois and spent 17 years as a chaplain. He came to Florida in the summer of 1984 to be chaplain of Halifax Medical Center. He left Halifax for an appointment in DeLeon Springs.

He married Carol, a registered nurse, in 1974 and adopted two children, Cathy and Jeff. The children are now grown and on their own. Both completed college with degrees in marketing and business administration. Cathy lives in Atlanta and Jeff lives in Daytona.

While in DeLeon Springs, Carol supported her husband’s ministry by standing at his side, baking, working in the kitchen and serving on committees, as time permitted while working full time as a nurse.

Beebe felt the stirring of a call to ministry during his time at Union College, a small liberal arts college associated with the United Methodist Church, which required religion classes. “In meeting people on campus and studying, step-by-step I felt the call to the ministry.”

His assignment to DeLeon Springs United Methodist Church in 2000 was a challenge since the church’s old facility had burned down, leaving the church homeless. During his tenure Beebe oversaw the building of a 7,000 square feet multipurpose building. Other highlights of his ministry there was the weekly distribution of groceries at the church along with the monthly feeding of the homeless in conjunction with another Methodist church.

DeLeon Springs also spearheaded the Great Kids program at the local school, an independent not-for-profit organization that targets at risk children. The after school program “got the blessing of the church and the school board”, said Beebe.

The program consisted of two hours of academic tutoring and one hour of Christian education. Parents had to give permission for their children to participate in the Christian education portion.

“Ninety-five percent of the parents signed the permission slips,” he continued.

The reverend’s first order of business at Marco is to finish moving in, and to familiarize himself with the facilities, people and programs of the church. A stack of his pictures and plaques sat on the couch in his new office, on top of which was a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence. Many of his favorite books had already been placed on the bookshelves.

One of his favorite authors is John Ortberg, who wrote “The Life You Always Wanted.”

“He speaks to my soul, uses a lot of humor and is very profound,” said Beebe. Other favorite books are, “Renovation of the Heart and the Spirit” by Dallas Willard, and “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey.

“I am excited about the strong praise and worship and traditional worship here,” he continued. He also hopes to strengthen the church’s Christian education program.

When asked what his spiritual gifts are, he paused and answered, “mercy, compassion, faith, and healing.”

His 17 years as a chaplain helped hone his gifts.

“People tend to open up to me. We were in Wal-Mart shopping. I had a cart and an older woman was racing me to the end of the aisle. At the end I told her ‘you win the drag race.’ She proceeded to tell me she was displaced by Katrina and was homeless. I am just a magnet for people to talk to,” said the pastor. Other strengths that he brings to the ministry is the ability to bring people together, and to build unity.

Beebe explained that “that comes because I can see many sides of an issue and the value thereof. Anything we do for the glory of God needs to be done to the best of our ability.”

Neither Beebe nor his wife Carol had been to Marco before his assignment here. Both love it.

“Marco is just beautiful; the people here have been so gracious, loving and hospitable, words cannot describe,” beamed Carol. The couple has been treated to dinners and was happy to attend the Fourth of July Party at Residents’ Beach with parishioners.

His first service on Marco was officiated on July 7. The sanctuary was decorated with flowers and the congregation sang a special anthem “Welcome Friends” to welcome the Beebes. Afterwards there was a cake and punch reception in the Fellowship Hall. People continue to drop in and welcome him.

“The church is known for warmth and friendliness. A great community,” said Beebe.

He further explained that Marco differs from DeLeon Springs where 25 percent of the community was Hispanic. According to Link2Lead, a web-based resource for pastors, there is a huge difference in income between the two communities as well. The average annual income in DeLeon Springs is $40,000 and the average in Marco is $101,000.

“[However] it is out of our brokenness that we all struggle with the need to know Jesus Christ that heals and restores life.”

Beebe looks forward to meeting and getting to know members of the community, as well as a little golf and fishing. His prayer for his new congregation is, “to continue to grow in faith and love with Jesus Christ and one another.”

Wesley United Methodist Church is located at 350 South Barfield Drive. Information: 394-3734 or visit www.wesleymarco.com.