The Rev. David Rivers will deliver his first sermon as the new senior minister of Central Union Church on June 15.

An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Rivers has previously served large churches in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Florida and Kansas as a youth, family or senior pastor.

Central Union has been without a permanent senior minister for three years. In a news release the church’s council chairman, Nathan Wong, said, "The Council and Congregation of Central Union Church overwhelmingly support the call of Rev. Rivers and await his arrival with excited anticipation as he brings his spiritual energy and vision to our community."

Rivers has also served on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity, the United Way and the Direct Action and Research Training Center, which seeks to change systems of injustice in a local community. He will speak at services at 7, 9 and 11:30 a.m. June 15.

Central Union Church sits on an 8.4-acre campus in Honolulu with a preschool, kindergarten and adult day-care center. This year the church is celebrating the 181st anniversary of its founding and its 127th year as a church serving Oahu.