(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“[It’s] the fact that Lent is more of a tradition than a way of life.”

Pastor Andy Russell, who is the pastor at the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene, spoke those words to Matt Drzik on the March 28 edition of A.M. Beaver County in regards to why people who celebrate Lent tend not to keep up with the practice after the Easter holiday. Russell has been the pastor of the church in New Galilee for roughly three years.

Russell talked extensively during the conversation about the idea of letting God take control of the church as opposed to a more man-made traditional church experience: “I’m not the Creator, and I’m not the one to create that atmosphere,” he said. “I want the presence of God. I don’t want to have a simulated emotion from my people.” Pastor Russell also talked about the idea of committing to actions for the sake of spirituality and not for clout, referencing the gospel passage of Matthew 6.

Services from the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene can be heard every Sunday at 12 Noon on Beaver County Radio. The church itself is located at 505 Washington Avenue in New Galilee, and they can be found on Facebook.

Speaking of Facebook, click on the Live feed below to watch the full interview with Pastor Andy Russell.