When we resigned on March 14th we literally had no-idea where God was calling us and what our next-steps would be in ministry. We had numerous conversations about potential ministry opportunities in these last couple of months and last weekend we candidated at First Wesleyan Church in Shippensburg, PA. Following my message last Sunday morning, the board unanimously voted to ask the congregation to vote on whether to extend a 2-year call to us to be their next lead pastor. The congregation voted favorably and extended that 2-year call.
Immediately following the vote, we drove up to Harrisburg, PA where I flew out to Indianapolis for a two-day meeting. It was almost torture to disconnect from my family after such a potentially life-changing weekend! Even while we were a part, our hearts were focused on seeking God’s will for our next-steps and asking Him to reveal to us if Shippensburg was a part of that plan. When I finally returned to PA on Wednesday Jess and I took the next two days to seek God’s will as a couple.
Late on Thursday we made the phone call to Shippensburg’s vice-chairman and accepted their call to pastor the church!
As of mid-July I will be the new lead pastor of the Shippensburg First Wesleyan Church!
Thank you to all of our blog-followers, friends, and family (and even complete strangers?!) who were praying for us through this transitional period of our lives and ministry! We covet and appreciate your continued prayers and HELP as we now turn this decision into a reality.
A couple specific prayer-points:
As of right now our final Sunday in Armbrust will be July 11th. I have another meeting in Indianapolis that very next Monday and Tuesday and then we will need to move during the remaining part of that week. Anyone want to plan a family-vacation around our move and help?!
Tell us about your new position and what it involves. Steve and I are sitting here in McD’s reading this and praying for you. What journey are you on with this move? Miss you, love, Rita and Steve
Blessings to you, Jess, and the kids. The move puts you guys fairly close by. Hopefully we can have some shared family get togethers and maybe some shared church fellowship as well.
It’s a bummer we’re so far away, I’d love to come help but CA is too far away…WAIT!!! We’re not in CA any more!! Maybe we can work something out…I’ll have to talk to Brock and the fam. We’re experts at moving now!! Maybe I can do a drive sometime in June and bring you TONS of boxes! So exciting to be so much closer! Congratulations to you guys!
We’re really excited for you guys and very excited for the church, they are blessed to get a great pastoral family. We will be praying for these specific requests.
Praying for you guys! Love you very much!
Stev, Don and I always saw you as a lead pastor one day! You have such a great gift of delivery and your Love for God’s word shows. You and Jess will be an amazing addition to this new church and community! Praying for y ou all as you continue to follow the Holy Spirit!
Blessings!!