RUMFORD — The First Baptist Church of Rumford has announced that Samuel Maruca will take over for Pastor Bruce Tyner, who retired in May after 12 years of service to the church. Maruca and his wife Ruth were welcomed by the church on Aug. 15.

The Marucas have been married for 48 years and have three grown children and six grandchildren. He is originally from Baltimore, Md. and now resides in North Waterford.

Sam Maruca graduated from Baltimore City College High School, attended Carroll Community College, received certificates from Moody Bible Institute and Lancaster Bible College and also received certification from Teen Challenge International-Principles of Biblical Counseling.

The couple established and directed New Life For Girls of New England in South Paris and he was also the director of the substance abuse program, New Life Residential Home for Men in Maryland. He was also a self-employed remodeling contractor.

He considers himself to be a “hard-working servant of God” and is very mission-oriented. He has gone on mission trips with Samaritan’s Purse International to Alaska and New Orleans, and has also gone to South Dakota and Togo, West Africa, on other mission trips.

All are invited to meet Sam Maruca at 11 a.m. Sundays. Prayer and Bible study takes place at 2 p.m. Thursdays, at the church. He can be reached at the church on Thursday afternoons at 369-0703 or at home at 583-2999.