2017 is almost over. Christmas will be here in less than a week! We celebrate the Joy & Hope of this season as we look forward to the adventurous days ahead. Simultaneously we pause to remember the events of this past year. For some of you this past year contains milestones for which you are gratefully excited: graduation from high school or college, the birth of a child or a grandchild, a new job, a promotion, happy family gatherings and more. For others reminiscing contains more pain than joy: the loss of a spouse, the loss of a son or daughter, the loss of a job, divorce, family heartache, etc.
As followers of Jesus Christ, as heirs of His Kingdom, as soldiers of His Cross we persevere. We move forward, for to do more than glimpse back is to become either bogged in self-pity…or engrossed in egotistical self-absorption. Where do we go from here?
Let’s glance back for a moment. If I were to try and list all the Eastern Hills high points of 2017 it would take much more space than this article will allow, or that its readers would endure. I will only mention a couple of things which occurred at the end of the year but will greatly impact 2018. In October our dear pastor, Dr. Rick Marshall, retired after 23 years of faithful service. I had the privilege of serving with him for almost thirteen years. I count that a great honor. I learned much from him and his Godly leadership. Also in October my friend and youth pastor, Mark McLendon, resigned to serve a church in Texas. He will be sorely missed.
In the midst of these changes God has supplied our needs for today, as I am sure He will direct us in the future. Scooter Kellum joined our team in November as interim youth minister and has done an outstanding job! God provided Dr. Dale Huff as our interim pastor in recent weeks. Dr. Huff’s kind heart, loving spirit and Bible centered preaching will surely help lead us as we search for a full-time senior pastor.
God’s Word reminds us in Philippians 3:13-15 (NIV), Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [Following Paul’s Example] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently,that too God will make clear to you.
At this juncture we must look forward with enthusiasm keeping our eyes on Him! God has a plan for Eastern Hills. He will not forsake us. Galatians 6:9 encourages us: “So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”
Thank you to all who did a marvelous job this year leading, teaching, sharing, singing, worshiping and seeking God’s will! Stay the course! I thank my God on every remembrance of you!