I write this to you today knowing that even if my vocabulary was broadened, words would still fall far short of adequately describing the gratitude and love I have in my heart for you.

In an act of extreme grace, God called our family to Britt David Baptist Church twenty-four and a half years ago to serve as the thirteenth pastor of this congregation. We have never once doubted that God brought us here. Quickly, you became more than a congregation and you became more than our friends; you are our family. You have loved us, raised us, prayed for us, and cared for us, even through tragedy, sickness, loss, and failure. It is a privilege beyond merit to be a part of the great things God has done here.

This year we celebrate seventy-five years of gospel-centered, Christ-honoring, Bible-believing, Spirit-anointed ministry as a church. To have been able to lead you for nearly a third of that time is a gift from God. I have tried to maintain faithful preaching of the whole counsel of God and to engage you in missions and ministries built on Acts 1:8 in an effort to win our community to Christ.

As you recall my testimony, you will remember that forty-one years ago I prayed, “Lord, whatever you tell me to do for the rest of my life, I’ll do it.” He reminded me of that prayer to get me to Britt David. He has reminded me of that prayer to keep me. And now He has reminded me of that prayer once again.

As clearly as I know that God called me here, I know that He is now calling me to serve you and our community as the Associational Missionary for our Columbus Baptist Association.

You should know that no one has forced our hand. Maybe pastors in the past have been pushed out by groups from within the church, but that is not the case here. I am not walking this new path because I am mad or disappointed. On the contrary, I am excited about the days ahead for Britt David and thrilled that I and my family get to still be a part of what God is doing here.

We have no intention of leaving the church. This is our church-home, and you are our church-family. In fact, we want you to go on, experience, and enjoy this journey with us – our church is supplying the next local Associational Missionary.

As a twenty-year-old, I came to grips with the reality that everyone is called to missions, that the Great Commission is for everyone, and that everyone is to “go.” Just before Deena and I were married, we talked about the possibility of going to the mission field one day. I recall telling you before you issued me a call that I wanted to stay here at least until Alex graduated from high school and then we might entertain going to the mission field (then when we announced Deena being pregnant with Julianna, I told you that we had another eighteen years for sure).

God planted and cultivated this in my heart for many years, but I never considered that God would actually call me to do it, and certainly not that Columbus could be that mission field.

So, what does this mean? Where do we go from here? I have accepted the call from the Columbus Baptist Association and agreed to begin serving there on January 1, 2025, bringing my tenure as full-time pastor here to a close on December 31. However, with the church’s approval, I would retain a pastoral role for the next six months through Sunday, June 1, 2025. While I will continue to preach here, this time will be used to prepare us for the man God is already preparing to serve as the next pastor. I fully expect God to lead us, instruct us, guide us, and protect us as we search for him and call him. Then, when he joins us, I will be here to be his champion and his cheerleader.

In accordance with our by-laws, the formation of a Pastor Search Team is already underway and will be brought to you for approval. Begin praying today that the Holy Spirit will grant wisdom and insight to follow His leading.

We are about to embark upon a most unusual race. In a typical relay race, each runner works together so that they might win the race. While one runner is completing his portion, he hands the baton to the runner who is just beginning his. The first does not slow down that the next might catch up, rather they both run at full speed with everything they have got; the first runner does not slow down at all until the baton is passed. I have no intention of slowing up or slacking off but working as diligently and as hopefully as the day I first took the baton. 

This race is unusual for two reasons. First, I am handing a baton while also receiving another baton. I cannot do this alone though I will run at full speed for both. Second, none of us have been down this same track before, therefore we will face unknowns. God speaks to both issues, and He speaks to those of us who are afraid: As Moses handed his baton to Joshua, he said, “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8).”

Deena, Alex, Julianna, and I love you, and we look forward to going through this with you.