who are the disciples of Christ

You can learn more about the wider religious tradition that we're a part of at Our Identity: A Covenant Conversation. 
We were established here in Newark in 1884; our history of helping establish other congregations in Licking County led to our name "Central" back in 1914, and we moved to our current location at the corner of Mt. Vernon Road & Rugg Avenue in 1950 from downtown.

THE staff

co-ministers

Rev. Kara and Rev. Chad are serving Newark Central together as Co-Ministers. They have been married for almost 13 years and they have four daughters, all school age. They have come ‘home’ to Ohio after serving in various congregations in Kentucky and North Carolina over the last 15 years. As Co-Ministers they are able to share their unique gifts and work together to serve alongside all who are a part of Newark Central.
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rev. kara swartz

​Rev. Kara grew up in the Greater Cincinnati area, and loves the Reds, Bengals, and Skyline Chili. She attended Ohio University and received a BS in Communications from the Scripps College of Communications. In 2011 she received her Masters of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. She served as Student minister and then Senior Minister at Berea Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) until her move to NC in 2012. She became the Senior Minister at Hooker Memorial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greenville, NC in May of 2013 and served there until December 2021.
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Her passions in ministry are communication and intergenerational community. Those passions have led her to serve in various capacities and roles locally, regionally, and nationally.  She has been involved in Church Camp in some capacity and in various areas whether as attendee, counselor, or keynoter. In recent years she, along with her spouse Rev. Chad, has served as a Keynoter for Just Say Know Ministries, an ecumenical ministry focused on working with young people and their grown-ups to better understand their Spirituality and Sexuality.
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She is an avid reader with varied topic interests. She loves to bake and cook fun new recipes. She is also a creative crafter who likes to do all sorts of fun DIY projects, some of which end up on the to-do list for a while. You can often find her running around trying new things and visiting fun places with her family.

Rev. ​Chad Penhorwood

​Rev. Chad grew up in Lima, Ohio; and is an avid Buckeye, Reds and Browns fan. He graduated from Otterbein College with a Bachelors in Religion and Philosophy and In 2011, he earned his Masters of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. Through undergraduate he served at First Christian church and the United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, as well as Northwest Christian in Columbus. During Seminary he served Douglass Blvd Christian Church as well as Moorefeild Christian. In 2012, he moved with his wife, Rev. Kara, to serve First Christian Church of Washington in North Carolina. He also served Ayden Christian Church and Southwest Christian Church; as well as has served as a Teacher Assistant serving Autistic middle schoolers and coaching co-ed soccer and girls/boys track.
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His pastoral passions are community outreach and pastoral care. He has served for several terms as a Regional Youth Advisor in North Carolina. Church Camp is a huge part of his ministry as attendee, counselor, or keynoter. Since 2013 he has served beside his spouse Rev. Kara, as a Keynoter for Just Say Know Ministries, an ecumenical ministry focused on working with young people and their grown-ups to better understand their Spirituality and Sexuality.
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He is extremely blessed to be part of this wonderful congregation at Newark Central, and he hopes, along side his wife, four daughters (total daughter dad), and the Newark Faith Family….God’s message through Christ will grow brighter.     
© 2022 Newark Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) | 587 Mt. Vernon Road, Newark, OH 43055 | 740-366-4961