Dear First Baptist Family and Friends
In the last week of January five years ago I had the great privilege of becoming your pastor. This week begins my sixth year of ministry with you. Will you permit some brief reflections and some hopes for the future?
*Among the things that have meant much to me are seeing people saved. Hundreds of folks have come to know the Lord. Pray to Him that continues to happen through His church.
*Also new children being born to young adults and dedicated to the Lord, attending services, singing in the choirs, and filling the children’s Sunday school rooms, and growing up active in the church.
*Strong in my memories also are the many saints who have gone on to their eternal reward in the last five years. Heaven is now sweeter for us all because we know some of God’s wonderful servants who are waiting for us there.
*New Sunday school classes have begun. We have had an increase in people studying God’s Word in Sunday school and through discipleship classes.
*The choir has continued to grow and amaze us all with terrific, God-honoring music. You are a people who worship the Lord well. It is a joy to worship here.
*Several have expressed their call into ministry and are now preparing to serve God through additional schooling. Others are already serving as pastors in other churches
*FAITH participants continue to share Christ with the lost and share loving concern with the saved.
*The building debt has fallen from $2.1 million to $600,000, for an incredible average of $300,000 per year paid on the principal.
I hope the future years will continue to be years of growth, love, worship, and service to the Lord Jesus. Despite the economic downturn, I hope to see the debt eliminated within the next three years and significant funds begin to be gathered for the next phase of the Master’s Plan.
I dream of increased ministries, especially with apartment ministries, ministries to those in prison, new Sunday school units formed to increase the fellowship and build new leaders in our fellowship, and increased recreational ministries. I dream of increased participation in FAITH and other outreach events.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our Lord for the past five years. I don’t take it for granted. Let’s dedicate ourselves to seek His face and live wholly for Him in the days ahead, dreaming of what He can do among us.
Joshua 3:5 says, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Love in Christ,
Bill Patterson
Posted on
Saturday, January 31, 2009
by Erica Sutphin