God Calls, and Also Provides!

Since December of 2008, I have not only been working as your Executive Pastor - but I also started serving as Director of Missions for the Blue Ridge Baptist Association. The two positions together created full time ministry employment for me (which was needed), but have kept me very busy with some days of long hectic commuting, and trying to create a delicate balance between both jobs. Over the past year, I have come to realize that many of my gifts are being used for maximum impact and assistance to the 34 churches in Blue Ridge, and to plant new churches in strategic areas that need an evangelical church influence. The potential for reaching the lost with the saving message of Jesus Christ there is great, and I'm honored to be the one God called to serve Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland, Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia, and a portion of Keystone county in Pennsylvania.

I have spent much of the last year praying for God to make it clear to me if I was supposed to maintain this 50/50 balance, or if he was calling me more to one ministry area than the other.  I write this article to share with you that it has become clear to me and my family that God is calling me to slowly transition to becoming the full time Director of Missions in Blue Ridge. Leadership there wants to see this happen, and they have approved a plan to increase my responsibilities there over a 2-3 year period until I am full time. We received further confirmation that this was God's plan for us, when my wife Linda, was offered a new position last week as a clinical nursing manager at the Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, MD. She will start her new job on March 8, 2010. Because of this, our family will now be making firm plans to move to the greater Martinsburg WV area this summer, so Sam and Elizabeth can start attending High School there in the Fall of 2010. Over the holidays we made an offer on a building lot on North Mountain in Berkeley County WV. The owner of that property has accepted our offer, and we will be planning to build a new home there over the next couple of years. With each possible move, God has confirmed that he wants us in Blue Ridge. His hand and guidance is unmistakable.

DON'T PANIC , Cresthill ....because you're not losing me yet. Initially the only thing that will change in my ministry status here at my home church - is the direction of my commute. Instead of driving from Bowie to Blue Ridge a couple of days each week, and 1/2 of the Sundays ... I'll be reversing the drive. In 2011, we may phase down my work slightly, but you'll still be seeing me regularly. I plan on still being around for a while - as long as Cresthill has a need for me.

If you had told me 2 years ago that God would be moving my family to West Virginia, I would never have believed it. But we serve a great God who not only directs, but provides a way - even when there seems to be no way. His hand of providence has been so awesome and clear to us along this path, we are absolutely certain that this is His guidance and provision. It's really been quite a ride!  The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi the following words: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19) I can honestly report that this is incredibly true. To God be the glory!