Van Wieren

By Susan Shinn Turner

CHINA GROVE — Becoming pastor of First Methodist Church of China Grove four years ago was a homecoming of sorts for the Rev. Will Van Wieren.

The Rowan County native is a graduate of South Rowan High School, Catawba College — where he played football — and Hood Theological Seminary.

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“I did all my education in Rowan County,” Van Wieren said.

He’s served churches in Kannapolis and Kernersville before coming to China Grove.

“This has been like coming home for me,” he said. “Looking through the church directory, I saw so many people I already knew.”

During the last four years, the congregation has enjoyed a period of growth and revival, Van Wieren notes, with attendance ave

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