Beginning Year Three of Our Partnership

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all of my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 NIV

On May 22, 2005 you gave to Amanda and me an overwhelming invitation to move to Pensacola where I would serve as your pastor. During the past week, I have been re-visiting my calling and reflecting on our first two years together, as we prepare to begin year number three. In my first acceptance letter to the Pastor Search Committee and congregation I wrote the following lines:

“Your strong faith and your love for First Baptist Church have been obvious to us since our first meeting with you…Therefore, with tremendous respect for the esteemed heritage of First Baptist Church, and with great anticipation of the continuing leadership of the Spirit in the future, I heartily accept your invitation to come to Pensacola in view of a call to be your Senior Pastor.”

During these first two years we have enjoyed several blessings and confronted numerous challenges. We have sought shelter during hurricanes, welcomed dozens of newborns, shared beautiful services of baptism, witnessed memorable weddings, shared in the memorial services of friends and family members, and welcomed many new friends into our church family.

Little did we know when we made our covenant as pastor and people how the economic and vocational landscape of our community would be impacted by successive storms in 2004 and 2005. In addition to those who have “graduated to heaven,” we have regretfully said “goodbye” to many friends who have relocated to other states, other assignments, or other vocations. Now, we find ourselves in perhaps the most significant and opportune time of transition since the church moved from the bay to the hill.

During 2007-2008 I foresee that we will be presented with some of the most crucial challenges and remarkable opportunities in the history of our church. As we prepare to seize these opportunities with proactive ministries of discipleship and evangelism, I am grateful that the Lord has led us in assembling a competent and committed team of ministers to serve as encouragers and equippers to our congregation. I believe that the Lord has brought us all together “for a time such as this.”

As we continue to grow in faith and friendship, as we reach out to new friends, and as we complete the Paul Royal Recreation and Outreach Center (ROC), I encourage every member of First Baptist Family to commit to the following partnership initiatives:
1. Participate regularly in worship and Bible study
2. Exercise extraordinary patience and cooperation with the inconveniences created during these final months of construction.
3. Make a connection with a friend or neighbor who is not connected to another church family.
4. Get involved in a mission or ministry project.
5. Be faithful and cheerful with your tithes and offerings.

As we begin year three of our partnership, I reaffirm the commitment I made two years ago to “tell the truth and love the people.”

I look forward to seeing you this week in worship and Bible study.