Pastor

Reverend Deborah L. Coggin, aka Pastor Deb, grew up in Richmond, Virginia.  I was raised with my brother, Jim by our mother.  My father remarried and blessed me with a sister, Lisa and two brothers, Myers and Sam.  I am very blessed to have a family, who is very supportive.

I graduated from Mary Washington College.  After over 13 years of service with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, I attended Wesley Theological Seminary where I received my Masters of Divinity degree, Cum Laude, in May 2000.  My seminary experience was amazing and I am still in contact with a small group of friends who are still very supportive of my work with the LGBT community. After seventeen years of involvement as laity within the church, I was ordained in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in June of 2000.

I served as pastor of Vision of Hope MCC in Mountville, PA. from June 2000 through October 2014.  After leaving Vision of Hope MCC, my wife and I along with several friend started “Living Generosity.”   Living Generosity proves a hot meal, clothing and hygiene items to the homeless twice a month in Lancaster, PA.  The group continues to serve about 150 people every time we go out.  In December of 2016, I was called to serve as Pastor of New Light MCC in Hagerstown, MD.  My passion is preaching and teaching as well as reaching out to those on the margins.  I strives to help people be the presence of Christ in our world today.

Let me tell you about the Fenninger-Coggin family.  Denise (Dee) and I have been together for 11 years and were married in July of 2014.  In 2011, our lives changed forever when God brought 5 beautiful and amazing girls into our lives.  Taty is 18, Espy is 17, Addy is 13, Lola is 8 and Ella is 7. We and the girls legally became a family in March of 2013. We also share our home in Lancaster, PA with 3 dogs, Jezzie, Shekina, and Star.  We recently added a six month old puppy, Gracie to the mix.

Our family is very excited to be a part of the New Light MCC community of faith.  God is doing amazing things.  I hope you will consider joining us.