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Rev. Brian White became the District Superintendent of the Columbus District of the United Methodist Church in July of 2007.
Brian grew up in southern Indiana graduating from Jeffersonville High School in 1977. After graduation he attended Indiana State University where he majored in Music Education playing the French horn. During the ISU days he enjoyed basketball band - especially when Larry Bird was playing, played in the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and was an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity. In 1981 he finished his undergraduate studies and received the Music Medal, awarded each year to the outstanding graduate as voted upon by the music department faculty.
After college Brian spent one year teaching elementary school music and junior high school band in Cerro Gordo, Illinois. During that year he was also a member of the Illini Symphony Orchestra and the University of Illinois Opera Theater Orchestra.
1982 marked a dramatic change in direction for Brian's professional life. During the Spring of 1982 he felt a call to Christian ministry and began his theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. During seminary Brian sang in the Seminary Singers, the Chapel Choir, and played in the Asbury College Band & Orchestra. For three years he was Director of Music at Harrodsburg United Methodist Church in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
In his first year of seminary Brian met his future bride, Michelle. Michelle moved from her home in Indianapolis to Kentucky and they were married on November 19, 1983. On September 30, 1985 their first child, Ross, was born several months early. After a long and complicated medical course Ross died on August 30, 1986.
In May of 1986 Brian finished his degree at Asbury and the family moved to Fairland, Indiana where he pastored Fairland and Liberty United Methodist Churches. During the four years that they lived in Fairland, Brian and Michelle were blessed with two children, Audra (born August 30, 1987) and Ian (born February 24, 1990). Both children were very healthy and are wonderful gifts from God!
Over the next seventeen years Brian served as pastor at Southport UMC, Ft. Branch UMC, St. Paul UMC in Bloomington, and United Methodist Temple in Terre Haute. Each of these ministry locations brought its own set of joys and challenges and Brian has felt grateful to be able to serve such a variety of passionate, caring Christians.
Brian enjoys his current ministry in the Columbus District and enjoys visiting with people and churches in the district. Currently Brian is playing French horn in the Columbus City Band and is a licensed referee for high school soccer and basketball. He loves reading and spending time with his family!