WEST PARIS — Pastor Chris Kokkola has accepted the call to be the new pastor of West Paris Baptist Church.

Kokkola was unanimously recommended by the Pulpit Committee, which had considered numerous candidates over the past six months.

Members of the local Finnish community will be particularly glad to welcome the Kokkola family to West Paris. Chris, his wife, Heidi, and their 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, have spent the last 12 years ministering in Finland.

Kokkola was pastor of a church, led a Christian Business Men’s Group and conducted a worldwide internet ministry.

Heidi is a Finnish national who attended school in America. She will be working as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant.

Kokkola, who has Finnish roots, feels at home in Oxford County. He was raised in New Hampshire, but spent his summers with his grandparents in Norway.

Members are hoping there will be a large turnout Sunday, Jan. 24,  to welcome the new pastor and his family for his first service. Everyone is welcome at the service, which begins at 9:45 a.m.