OTHELLO — Until he heard the Northwest Christian University Singers perform, the Rev. Adam Janes was planning to be a policeman.

He enrolled in the Eugene, Ore. school and joined the University Singers. He went on to the ministry and is now the Pastor of the Othello Christian Church.

Rev. Janes, his wife Tina and their boys Addison, 14, Phoenix, 13, and Trooper, 8, arrived in Othello on July 18. The pastor transferred from the First Christian Church in Dover, Tennessee.

The reverend and his wife are happy to be in Othello. It’s almost home. He was born and raised in Oregon. He met Tina at Northwest Christian.

Rev. Janes planned on becoming a police officer as a kid and early teen. His father and two uncles were cops. From the age of 14 to 19 he participated in the Salem, Ore. Explorer Program.

Because of his parents, the young Janes was active in the Kaizer, Ore. Christian Church (disciples of Christ). At 16, he attended a youth rally in Hermiston, Ore., where he was enthralled by a performance by the University Singers.

“I really wanted to become a member of that singing group,” he said.

After graduation, Janes enrolled at Northwest Christian and auditioned for the 8-member organization as a baritone. He made it.

“It helped that I could play instruments,” the Reverend said. “Everyone had to do double duty.”

The young Janes played trombone, guitar, bass and drums. After earning a Bachelor’s in music, he moved on to Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, Tenn. for a Master’s of Divinity.

Next, Rev. Janes did a one-year internship at the Hasson Street Christian Church in Rogersville, Tenn. It was an African-American congregation.

The singing and musicianship was inspiring, and Rev. Janes got to lead the choir. And he got used to points in his sermons being punctuated by shouts of “Amen!”

“It was one of the best experiences,” he said. “I was glad my kids got that experience.”

At Dover, Rev. Janes became a full-time pastor. After eight years, he and Tina wanted to get back to the Northwest to be closer to family.

The Reverend submitted his name to the church’s national headquarters in Indiana for an opportunity in the Northwest Region. Othello surfaced.

Rev. Janes was interviewed by three representatives of the congregation. They approved him. Then he conducted a Sunday service and went back to Tennessee. A week later he was offered the position.

The Rev. was happy. So was Tina, on his word. They had wanted to come to Othello when first they heard of the opportunity.

“I had been to this church with the University Singers,” Pastor Janes said. “I had stayed in the home of one of the church’s search committee members.”

The reason Tina is happy is that things are working out for her allergies as her doctor predicted. He had told her she needed to come back to the West.

“So far, things are great,” Pastor. Janes said. “She hasn’t taken any allergy medicine since we arrived.”

The trip to Othello was grand, as in LaGrande, Ore., where the pastor’s parents live. Since arriving, the Janes have also visited Tina’s sister in Kennewick.

Only the Reverend is paid, but Tina and the kids do their share. Tina does office and other chores. Addison (trumpet) and Trooper (vocals) are part of the praise team.

“Othello is a beautiful community, wonderful people,” the pastor said.

One of the family goals is to fill the church on Sundays. Attendance is between 40-50 people, and the sanctuary will hold well over 100.

“Our responsibility is to expose everyone to the love of God,” the pastor said.