Pastor/Deacon Report for the Annual Business Meeting February 2025

Dear Friends,

It has been my privilege to serve as Elder/Pastor/Overseer for this assembly for the last eleven and a half years.

This past year, the year 2024, I did something different with our sermon series than I have done before. I dedicated the sermons on the first Sunday of the month to something that has to do with Communion, since we celebrate this ordinance Christ gave to the church on the first Sunday of each month. While this was a rewarding endeavor, it also slowed down our exposition of the book of Revelation.

One of my regrets is that I started an exposition which I will not be able to finish. But, life goes on.

We spent the bulk of the year of 2024 studying the book of Revelation. And we probably would have spent the bulk of this year in that text as well.

Byron and I have met with each other each month over the last quarter with a formal meeting, as well as many informal meetings.

Though I leave this ministry for a new ministry, life still goes on. Our church needs godly men to be raised up to help Byron with this ministry. He can not do it alone. Please be in prayer about this. And support Byron as much as you possibly can.

One of the hardest things about leaving here is that I love you folks so much. And I know that you have loved me and my family in return. Your financial giving to this ministry has been so sacrificial. Most pastors I have talked with can’t believe that you have been financially supporting a full-time pastor with the size of this congregation.

I want you to know that I was not seeking a new church. In truth, I have been concerned about whether this church will be able to continue to support our family. But I was content to stay. But this church in north Lansing sought me out. And I believe that is the direction the Lord would have me take.

I close this report with these words written by Moses, at the direction of God;

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.