"Preach the Word,

The simplest and shortest version to what could be a long post is that I have felt God leading us to serve a church as a Senior Pastor instead of as an Associate Pastor (as our current position in Massachusetts). So starting in about November 2007 I have been in contact with hundreds of churches and posted my resume to Bible Colleges and I think I even pestered a few of you about churches that may have need of a pastor.

Well, the Lord has answered our (and your) prayers and for the last 8 days we have been fellowshipping, preaching for, and candidating at a church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This afternoon the church held a business meeting and voted unanimously to extend to us a call to be their pastor and a few minutes later when I was revived we accepted (I’m kidding about passing out). It was a sweet time with the members crying and us crying (all tears of joy, I assure you!!). We all hugged each other’s necks just feeling a sweet spirit! We feel like we have known these people for years and it is all due to the Holy Spirit knitting our hearts together!

The church is small and has suffered a few trials first was the death of their former pastor of eight years who died from brain cancer and then they suffered from some power struggles after his death caused a void…but the Lord has blessed them with some faithful few stilling seeking and serving and so instead of facing difficulties…I see challenges that easily can be overcome. The church has only had about 15-20 faithful members but they are a strong tithing faithful with a heart to serve and witness. The church has been blessed with some gorgeous facilities and 10 acres of land in a great location. The town and surrounding area has about 60,000 and a very few churches that still preach the Word, Baptist or otherwise. There is not a Christian school in the area and so we are excited for the possibilities and future growth.

I thank you, my family and friends, for your prayers on our behalf and wanted to share the joyous news with you. It is with a humble and anxious heart that I can proclaim to be the Pastor of Gospel Light Baptist Church of Orangeburg, South Carolina! We will be heading back to Massachusetts tomorrow and will be transitioning our ministries up there and moving down to South Carolina by April 1st, Lord willing. Please pray for the financial situation of our house in Massachusetts; a safe & smooth move; a successful ministry hand-off at Grace Baptist Church of Pepperell, MA; and for the Lord to work out all of the other details in a short time period. As we change mailing addresses and phone numbers we will send out another email and (hint, hint) if you visit our family website and blogs you can keep updated there as well.

I truly pray that God will give you the opportunity to witness to at least one lost soul this week and I pray that you will have the wisdom to recognize that opportunity and the courage to testify! God bless you!