Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh

STEUBENVILLE — The Urban Mission Ministries board of directors filled a key vacancy Wednesday, announcing the Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh will be the organization’s next executive director.

Arbaugh, who has served as lead pastor at Carrollton First United Methodist Church for the past five years, succeeds the Rev. Ashley Steele, who served in the role for 13-plus years before resigning in late September to take a position with the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Steele had stayed on in an advisory role to assist the interim director, Tiffany Beckwith, and will now work with Arbaugh as she transitions into her new role.

“The Urban Mission has served the community well, it’s served the Ohio Valley well,” Arbaugh said after the announcement. “They are built on a very strong foundation — a lot of wonderful things are happening, a lot of exciting opportunities that Urban Mission has been part of, and I’m excited to be part of what they have going on as well as with what God has planned for the future.”

Arbaugh, who will officially take the reigns Jan. 15, said the organization’s success is built “on Urban Mission’s partnerships with other organizations, churches and businesses in the community.”

“This is a calling from God,” she said. “This is where God has called me and placed me in this season of my ministry. We fully rely on him to help us through these times. There are so many taxing issues, so much need. That’s where we rely on God to help us see how we can help with those needs and also be the light in the community.”

In announcing her selection, board members said Arbaugh’s extensive experience in ministry, coupled with her volunteer work with the Urban Mission’s JOSHUA program, “provides a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and values” and said they’re confident her leadership “will strengthen the organization’s connection to the United Methodist Church and further its vital work in the community.”

Urban Mission Ministries was founded in 1959 by the United Methodist Church and was tasked with providing food, shelter and essential services to individuals and families in Steubenville. The organization works to build trust, eliminate barriers and foster healing and restoration through service, education and hands-on training. It also collaborates on community development and economic initiatives to create lasting positive change, the board said.

“A big part of it was her connection to the United Methodist Church,” board president Tim Long said. “We’re excited to keep our ties as close with the church as possible. Ultimately, we’re a faith-based organization and maintaining that is key, so someone who has that knowledge, that base, but who also is familiar with our organization is key.”

Long said Arbaugh wasn’t the only candidate for the job, “and we took a lot of time to make sure we were selecting the right person.”