Rev. Robert Bushey
Pastor for Children, Youth and Families
Central Christian Church
Leadership Portfolio
Rev. Robert Bushey, Jr. serves Central as our Pastor for Children, Youth and Families. Pastor Robert's ministry with Central is varied and includes: providing executive staff leadership for the Christian Education Department, including our Sunday School program, Adult courses, Child Care services, Wednesday evening youth ministry, the Youth Ministry Team, the Central Library, Vacation Bible School, Youth Mission Trips and the Central Christian Preschool. He teaches children's, youth and adult Sunday School classes as invited, consults with teachers, serves as a resource person for curriculum, offers teacher training, teaches the parent module of the Welcome to Worship Class for 1st and 2nd graders, coordinates and assists in teaching the Pastors' Class for Baptism and Membership each spring, and offers adult courses through the KERYGMA Program.
Pastor Robert also provides pastoral over-site to the Public Relations Department, Disciples Men and the Christian Action and Community Service Department. He serves as the Administrator of the Central Emergency Fund, providing emergency assistance for members and non-members. He works closely with other Decatur Human Service Agencies, such as the Macon Assistance eXchange, the Northeast Community Fund, the Good Samaritan Inn, Habitat for Humanity, Oasis Day Center, and DOVE, Inc, in this capacity.
Pastor Robert serves as Central's current Wedding Coordinator, scheduling all weddings and consulting with each prospective bride and groom. He provides pre-marital counseling and preparation using the GREAT START program. Through GREAT START, he offers pre-marital and enrichment counseling with the PREPARE/ENRICH program and instructs Couples Communications Classes for prospective couples and married couples. He officiates at member and non-member weddings along with our other pastors on staff.
Pastor Robert provides Pastoral Care through visiting hospital patients, pre-surgery prayers, visiting shut-ins, conducting funeral services, and blessings of children, homes and pets. He preaches six to eight times per calendar year at Central and is available for outside preaching on occasion. He assists in worship planning, and meets with the Church Council and the Elders.
Pastor Robert serves the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin as the Director for the Koinonia I Camp for Junior Campers, each July. He works closely with other Disciples youth workers and pastors to plan Cluster and Regional events. Pastor Robert serves CCIW as a member of the region's Anti-racism Study Team, which is the result of the discernment process on Racism initiated by the Office of General Minister and President of the Disciples of Christ.
Generally, Pastor Robert is out of the office on Friday each week.
Family Life
Pastor Robert is married to Teri (Rose) Bushey, who works with the Baby Talk Even Start Program. Teri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion & Philosophy from Culver-Stockton College and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Christian Theological Seminary.
Robert and Teri were married in June of 1991. Together they are blessed with two sons, Joshua Aaron who was born in July of 1996 and Nicholas Robert born in December 2000. They live on Decatur's West Side and love to garden, camp, travel to see grandparents and friends, hike, and spend time together.
Spiritual Journey & Education
Pastor Robert was born (2/12) and raised in Kankakee, IL. He was baptised on Easter Sunday, 1981 at Central Christian Church in Kankakee. He was always very active in his home church as a youth and young adult. He sang in the Children's Choir and the Chancel Choir, played Hand Bells, served as a Diaconate, was CYF Treasurer and later President, served on the Building Committee, attended Christian Men's Fellowship, bowled for the Church Team and accompanied the pastor on shut-in visits. Robert has two older brothers, and three nephews. He graduated from Herscher High School in Herscher, IL.
Pastor Robert graduated from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO on May 15, 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy Cum Laude. During his course of study, he completed a chaplaincy internship at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL, served as volunteer chaplain twice each month at Blessing, served as Youth/Associate Pastor at First Christian Church in Bowling Green, MO (90-92), served as Interim Pastor at Lewistown Christian Church in Lewistown, MO (92-93), and worked as a Librarian's Assistant and Professor's Assistant at the college.
Pastor Robert graduated from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN on May 18, 1997 with a Master of Divinity Degree Cum Laude. While at CTS, Robert served the First Christian Church of Summitville, IN (94-98).
Pastor Robert was ordained, by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin, on July 20, 1997 at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bourbonnais, IL. Robert was called to Central Christian Church in November of 1997 and began with the congregation in January of 1998.
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Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
(217) 428-4336
email the webmaster at gbarron@cccdisciples.org