Dear Church Family,
Sunday was a great day of celebration and joy as we gathered together and worshipped the Living God and the Risen Savior. Easter Sunday is the high point of a Christian’s worship experience and the foundational truth of our faith. Although the truth and power of Easter is always with us, Easter Sunday is a day of celebrating new life, new beginnings, and new hope.
It is in the spirit of Easter that I share with you my decision to resign as your pastor effective May 15, 2011.
As I shared with you in recent days, the Lord had strongly impressed upon me the need for fresh, new leadership. Nothing has changed that impression, and my prayer has continued to be that God would use me to steer our church toward renewal. So it is in keeping with that leading from the Lord, and in being true to that prayer, that I offer my resignation at this time.
For the church, this is an opportunity for new life, new beginnings, and new hope. The same is true for Elliott and me. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve First Baptist Church, but we are filled with hope and a sense of anticipation of a new beginning in ministry. We will take some time in the days ahead to prayerfully consider exactly where the Lord is leading us.
Please know that our love for First Baptist will always be strong, and our gratitude for the love and support we have enjoyed through the years will never diminish. Undoubtedly, the church is facing some difficult days and severe challenges ahead. However, always remember that we are an Easter people, and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is available to resurrect the ministry and mission of First Baptist Church. Elliott and I pledge our continued prayer to that end.
In His love,
Hal West
Sunday was a great day of celebration and joy as we gathered together and worshipped the Living God and the Risen Savior. Easter Sunday is the high point of a Christian’s worship experience and the foundational truth of our faith. Although the truth and power of Easter is always with us, Easter Sunday is a day of celebrating new life, new beginnings, and new hope.
It is in the spirit of Easter that I share with you my decision to resign as your pastor effective May 15, 2011.
As I shared with you in recent days, the Lord had strongly impressed upon me the need for fresh, new leadership. Nothing has changed that impression, and my prayer has continued to be that God would use me to steer our church toward renewal. So it is in keeping with that leading from the Lord, and in being true to that prayer, that I offer my resignation at this time.
For the church, this is an opportunity for new life, new beginnings, and new hope. The same is true for Elliott and me. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve First Baptist Church, but we are filled with hope and a sense of anticipation of a new beginning in ministry. We will take some time in the days ahead to prayerfully consider exactly where the Lord is leading us.
Please know that our love for First Baptist will always be strong, and our gratitude for the love and support we have enjoyed through the years will never diminish. Undoubtedly, the church is facing some difficult days and severe challenges ahead. However, always remember that we are an Easter people, and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is available to resurrect the ministry and mission of First Baptist Church. Elliott and I pledge our continued prayer to that end.
In His love,
Hal West
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