On this day, one year ago, my family and I had just returned home from a wonderful two-Sunday visit with Mayfair Bible Church. From our little homestead in North Carolina, we prayerfully and excitedly awaited the news of the coming Sunday’s congregational vote.
“Would I be called to serve as their Lead Pastor? What would the vote from the flock indicate?” we wondered.
So we waited, prayed, and tried our best not to be anxious.
For Stephanie and I, God confirmed through much prayer, evaluation, and counsel that He was directing our family back to Michigan, and specifically to the Mayfair family. God emboldened our faith with such abiding peace that we even moved ahead with placing an offer on a home in the area. We began packing up boxes, planning out our move, and notifying friends to pray about the impending transition. By God’s shocking kindness, our offer on the home was accepted.
Yet two questions still remained: “Will the vote provide a clear call?” and if so, “Will the homeowner allow us to move in prior to closing!?”
We sat on pins and needles as we prayed throughout Sunday morning and early afternoon. Then the long-anticipated phone call arrived from the search team…. by God’s guidance, the members of Mayfair voted 99.5% toward calling me to serve as their Lead Pastor. We burst open with joy. Even quiet little Carson squealed with delight. Moments later, we filmed this short video to let Mayfair know of my acceptance of the call:
God, again, demonstrated His faithfulness and direction two days later, when the seller granted us permission to immediately move into the home before the closing! From the time our offer was accepted until closing was a mere 23 days. Simply amazing.
To the Mayfair Family:
We are so thankful to God for you. Your love, hospitality, and generosity are extraordinary virtues…certainly cultivated by God’s grace. The past twelve months of pastoral ministry have been deeply rewarding. You have a patience and hunger for the Bible. What a thrill it is to preach God’s truth to such a receptive group of Jesus-followers! You have an enthusiasm and passion to reach the lost in our community and around the world. What a joy it is to lead such a willing, prayerful team on the mission of Jesus! You have an openness to respond to faithful counsel. What a blessing it is to love such humble, transparent flock-members toward Christ-likeness!
Just as I mentioned in the video above, so this passage remains my prayer for you today:
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
We look forward to all God will do in this coming Advent season and the year ahead as we aim to thrive as obedient, grace-giving followers of Jesus Christ!
New Series Launch: Why Christmas?
Why bother with Christmas? Is the tinsel-laden holiday worth all the stress, busyness, credit card debt, heavy traffic, and high expectations?
Where’s the peace on earth and good will to men?
Somehow the theme drifts into a blaring tune of red and green.
Maybe it’s time to change the scene…to relearn everything.Join us each Sunday of Advent to rediscover Christmas by returning to the original people of the story… the true narrative that brings the news of peace, hope, joy, and love to everyone.
The Series Begins THIS Sunday, December 2nd | 10:45 AM | We’ll also be celebrating Communion @ Mayfair Bible Church. Invite a friend!
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