Faith Assembly of God Pastor to Retire

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Faith Assembly of God will be saying farewell to their pastor after 17 1/2 years.

Pastor Keith Filer and his family came to Du Quoin in January 1992. The Filers moved here from Paducah, Ky. and this became their 10th pastorate. Rev. filer has been in fulltime pastoral ministry for 39 years. He has pastured in norther and southern Illinois prior to going to Kentucky.

Pastor Filer has ministered on Christian radio and television, laying the piano and sharing in Word. He has been the church's piano player for the past 10 years.

His wife Jackie has led the praise and worship services as well as the children's ministry. The church was able to burn its mortgage and make many improvements to the church under the couple's care.

Rev. and Mrs. Filer had one child, a daughter, Bethany, who was tragically killed in 2007. The filers--pastor, Jackie and their granddaughter Thalla--will be moving to Tennessee where Pastor Filer is anticipating an early retirement due to some health issues.

The couple will celebrate their 39th anniversary next month.

The church will extend its deep appreciation to the couple during a special service Sunday, Aug. 23 in the worship service at 10:30 a.m. and will continue at the pavilion in Keyes City Park immediately after the service.