You were missed this past Sunday. I am thankful for leadership who make the tough calls about cancellations. I am thankful that we are on the side of safety. I was also so encouraged by the many of you who watched the Facebook live service of our partner church in Janesville, WI. What a fun and unique way to experience house church and still connect with each other as we worshipped together with Jesse Beernick and the Resonate Church, a southern Baptist church plant that we support monthly! If you missed it you can still go to their Facebook page and worship! You are going to want to be here this Sunday for worship and Sunday school. It is going to be a great day at Eastern Hills.
The future is bright for Eastern Hills Baptist Church. It is evident that God is moving. Change not only is inevitable, it is the catalyst for us to run to God and trust Him amidst the unknown. God is moving and a part of the movement of God is making way for new. I have been here at Eastern Hills for 9 years and 5 months. Eastern Hills has become family first to me and now to Meredith as well. I came as a single man and by God’s grace am leaving as a married man. Eastern Hills has blessed us and encouraged us. The church has allowed us to lead, to serve, to challenge and to try new things. We have seen God work mightily while we have been here. From mission trips to Uruguay, Wisconsin, New Orleans and locally our Serve efforts, we have seen God’s name proclaimed to the nations. From discipleship classes, our church wide focus on prayer and living an ordinary life to the upcoming marriage retreat we have seen God develop new avenues of growth. Our college ministry and our student ministry has produced vibrant and passionate followers of Christ.
God has provided deep friendships and family for Meredith and myself since both our families are so far away. Now God is moving us on. He is preparing the way for new heights and new levels of faith and trust for both the McLendons and for Eastern Hills. We will trust God with this change and with our lives. My resume made it to a church in Texas back in March. After five months of silence, they contacted me about an executive Pastor position at First Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, Texas. A month ago it was clear to both parties that God was in this. They were aware of Brother Rick’s retirement and were gracious to slow the process down until after he retired. After all, in ministry you move multiple times but you only retire once. Sunday, October 1, we went in view of a call and the church voted for us to come as the executive pastor. Our last day here at Eastern Hills will be October 22.
Thank you church family for 9 wonderful years of doing life together. We have seen God move here. We are excited to see all that God is going to do in and through us as we run to Him. And we know He will continue to do great things through you and the incredible leadership we have here at Eastern Hills. The future is bright for Eastern Hills and we know God is already preparing and moving in the hearts of the new ministers who have yet to come. Meredith and I are praying with you as we wait to see who God will provide and in the meantime we will trust God with the change.