Pastor Michael Shinaberry and his wife, Cara, will assume responsibilities at Volinia Baptist Church Sunday, Jan. 31.

Shinaberry will minister as associate pastor/family pastor of Volinia Baptist Church.

Shinaberry will be focusing his ministry on the spiritual needs of the families of the area as well as actively ministering to the children and youth of the church.

Both Pastor Shinaberry and his wife graduated from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Fla., where they have lived for the last eight years. Shinaberry has also completed his master of divinity from Pensacola Theological Seminary. He has been serving the pastor and ministries of Burgess Road Baptist Church of Pensacola.

Michael, having grown up in the Jackson area, is returning home to Michigan. Cara, a graduate of Pensacola Christian College, has served on its faculty for the last three and one half years.

The Shinaberrys have been married for four and a half years and have one daughter, Brooke, 2. They are expecting an addition to their family in May.

The Shinaberrys’ arrival and ministry brings to an end a long search by Pastor Thomas Stout, senior pastor, for the right man to assist in family ministries for the surrounding communities.

“The Lord Jesus Christ has truly blessed our church with new church facilities, a gym, classrooms, offices, a new auditorium and now with the Shinaberrys to better meet the needs and serve the community,” Stout said.