Marcums leave Blockton church after 37 years
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Scott and Debbie Marcum, Blockton Christian Church.
By Mike Avitt
What do you do after a thirty-seven year career as the minister of the Blockton Christian Church?
Well, you spend your retirement with your grandchildren; such is the decision of Reverend Scott Marcum and his wife Debbie.
And a noble decision it is.
Scott Marcum was born in Grinnell and graduated from high school there in 1972. He immediately joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Taiwan where he learned the Chinese language. He was discharged in 1976 and returned to Grinnell where he attended Grinnell College and became active in the Grinnell Christian Church.
Marcum received his calling while filling in for his pastor at this church.
Scott attended Nebraska Christian College in Norfolk, Nebraska and then married his wife Debbie in 1982.
The years 1983 and 1984 saw the newlyweds serving as missionaries in, yes, Taiwan! They served at Home of God’s Love, a mission base operated by Ted and Bev Skiles.
In the summer of 1984 they returned to Grinnell. Scott sent out letters seeking employment as a pastor and one of those letters was answered by the Blockton Christian Church.
Rev. Marcum preached his first sermon at the Blockton Christian Church on the first Sunday of 1985. At this time there were three other churches operating within a three mile radius: Tent Chapel Church of Christ, Blockton United Methodist Church, and Blockton Baptist Church.
Tent Chapel is still operating but the United Methodist Church closed in June 1987 and the Baptist Church in November 2000.
Scott and Debbie were provided with a parsonage and a household was established.
As it is common for pastors to move on after a few years, the Marcums believed they, too, would move on after some time. But, about the four year mark, they knew they would stay. And stay they did.
Children Sarah, Andrew, and Hannah attended Bedford Schools and the Marcums became part of the Blockton community. Scott served on the ambulance crew and the volunteer fire department. He served as mayor and held many positions in Ringgold and Taylor Counties.
Rev. Marcum found a special niche in the community theaters of Ringgold and Taylor counties acting in plays and directing plays. He even wrote plays. His Christmas play, “I am,” was performed on December 19, 1993 at the Blockton Christian Church.
Marcum organized the Oz Drama Group in Blockton for local performances.
Debbie served as city clerk and served in dozens of committees, clubs, organizations, and groups. The Marcums were a part of the entire community, not just the church community.
“We were able to do things here we wouldn’t have been allowed to do in most other places,” said Debbie.
Then came retirement in 2022.
After thirty-nine years as residents of Blockton, the Marcums are moving to be closer to grandchildren.
“Their moving leaves a tremendous void in our community,” says Blockton Postmistress and church member Connie Drake. Connie and her family are some of the folks who came to the Christian Church after the Methodist Church closed.
The entire community wishes bountiful blessings on the Marcums as they open a new chapter in their lives.
May God be with you ‘til we meet again.
