Thank you!

As I reflect upon my first year as senior minister, I want to use this space to say “Thank You.”  First of all I want to thank you for your prayers I have been deeply moved by the public and private prayers not just for, but for my family also.  Our children have noticed and appreciate the prayers too.  We have experienced the covering of God over our lives in so many marvelous ways over the past year.  I believe that it is in large part due to the prayers of the righteous on our behalf reaching the ear of God.  

Thank you for your patience.  Change is often difficult to embrace.  As creatures of habit, we like things the way they are.  Yet, you have endured and even embraced a significant number of changes in 2015.  In addition to being patient during the transition and change in the pulpit, you embraced the change of the pulpit.  Remember when there were two podiums on stage?  You have endured replacing the floors on the first floor and in the fellowship hall, flooding in the basement on multiple occasions, and water damage in the auditorium.  You have embraced a new vision, “Connect to God. Connect to the Church.  Connect to the World.”, connection groups, homecoming weekend, impact awards, and changes in the flow of worship service.  Our ministry leaders have been challenged to re-examine what we do and why we do it.  You have welcomed new members, welcomed back former members, and shown the love of Christ to our visitors.  Thank you for your patience.

​Thank you for your participation.  The shepherds ministers, and staff could not possibly do all of the work that needs to be done.   You have done the work of ministry.  There are so many people who do things behind the scenes that help the congregation glorify God and have a good name in the community.  Continue to bear fruit for God.  The church cannot be all that it should be without each member doing all that we should do. 
I thank God for blessing me to minister to a great congregation and trust that God will use us this year to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or imagine!