Meet our pastors
rev. Kimberly arbaugh
Lead Pastor
Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh was appointed to Carrollton First UMC in the Ohio Valley District in July 2014 with the assignment of starting a third worship service. That service, now called The Bridge, was launched officially in May 2015 as the satellite campus of Carrollton First UMC and meets in a livestock facility (the hog barn) at the local county fairgrounds. Through the movement of the Holy Spirit the Bridge welcomes new visitors weekly and works to disciple them in a life of Christ.
Kimberly serves on the East Ohio Conference Board of Ministry, serves as Chair of the Order of Elders for the East Ohio Conference and is Chair of the Ohio Valley District Committee on Ministry. In 2011 she was the Ohio Valley District Pastor of the Year and was ordained as a full-elder in the United Methodist Church in June 2016. Her previous appointment was to a two- point charge of Harsh Memorial and Kilgore United Methodist Churches.
Before entering full-time ministry Kimberly served as a director of a nature center with the local soil and water conservation district. Kimberly holds a M.Div. from Ashland Theological Seminary and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Regent University in Virginia Beach. She is married to her high school sweetheart Douglas, and they have two children. When not busy with the work of the church and the activities of her children she enjoys spending time on the family farm working with their horses. Kimberly also serves as a local volunteer firefighter for the Jewett Volunteer Fire Department. Kimberly leads the church with the calling of making untamed Christians living in the extravagance of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor jeba john paul
Associate Pastor
Pastor Jeba officially joined our congregation as Associate Pastor on July 1, 2023. He was previously appointed to Chesterton UMC and Sparta UMC. He has many ministry gifts including singing, musical instruments, empathy, and compassion. He also enjoys chess, reading, and cycling! To learn a little bit more about him, we asked him to answer the following questions.
What do you see as one highlight of serving in pastoral ministry?
A wonderful opportunity to develop relationships with everyone, regardless of religious belief, denomination, gender, social class, color, or age.
What is the name of your cat?
My very first pet was a rock. I call my cat "Rock" since he is so adorable and dark black that it is difficult for me to find him at night. I have also accidentally stamped on him several times at night, which made me think of the black rocky mountain in India where I used to go for relaxation. He was a gift from my former church to help me get rid of a mouse problem.
Do you have siblings, or are you the only child, the oldest, or the youngest?
I have two sisters, one older and one younger. They both have children and are happily married. I'm the middle person, both literally and figuratively.
What is your favorite Scripture Verse?
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
What is one fun fact about yourself you would like to share?
Cheese, butter, and slang are all present in everyday life here in the US, but I find them difficult to take in.