Khajehpour has signed four contracts to teach and train people in person and through television ministries in Los Angeles, London, Bethlehem and Yerevan, Armenia.

Citing theological and differences in personal beliefs, Mansour Khajehpour has resigned his post as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott.

A former Muslim from Iran, Khajehpour had been with First Presbyterian here since August 2010. During that time, membership increased and new community activities and guests were introduced to the city. The church will now undergo the process of seeking a new pastor.

When he and his wife and two children arrived here, Khajehpour said they were sure it was a calling from God. He planned to retire in Fort Scott, but recently he felt God was telling him it was time to take a different direction.

He has also associated himself with a group called Fellowship of Presbyterians, which formed in January 2011.

The group began in as a conversation between seven Presbyterian Church USA pastors who wanted to find new ways to encourage each other in common faith, ministry and mission, its website said.

These pastors were concerned about the health of the PC (USA) as a denomination, where membership has dropped steadily over 40 years and ongoing disputes over theology and bureaucracy create a culture of contention more than vitality, the site said.

“I believe the church is the body of Christ. It is so dear to Jesus, and therefore to me, to the point that anything that might hurt the body of Christ I do my best to stay away from it,” Khajehpour said in an interview. “For that reason, at this time of my life I prefer to be silent about the reasons and causes that led me to resigning as pastor of this church.

“Having said this, I would like to focus on the positive and encouraging experiences we gained by living and serving in Fort Scott and also the great things that are happening in our lives as a family these days.

“In 2010, when we came, we were absolutely clear that it was a call from God. Why God allowed this relationship to end at this time is a question for God. However, according to Romans 8:28 we are absolutely certain that God will use this event to continue blessing the church in Fort Scott and my family. But I’m certain (of what) Joshua said in Chapter 24, Verse 15, that regardless of place and time my family and I have dedicated our life to serve and worship God,” Khajehpour said.

Forty-five new members have also joined First Presbyterian in the 18 months Khajehpour was on board. Previously, the church attracted an average of two to three members a year. This is one of the things Khajehpour said shows his ministry was valid.

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