Changes

I’ll never forget Father’s Day back in 2006. It was my first day preaching at Central Wesleyan Church. I was 32 with two young boys, and we came to this small church I remembered from when I was in college. The only drawback was that hardly anyone I remembered from those college years was attending here anymore. So, with fond feelings and excitement, I started my ministry at Central. 
 
Over the years, Central has become home and family. We’ve seen new people, and that was always energizing. We’ve had people leave, and that was at times frustrating and maybe even depressing to me. We have seen lots of growth, some decline, and many, many improvements. In my almost 19 years, we have experienced life together. I am so thankful for this time.
 
That’s why today’s announcement at church is hard. I have accepted a new pastoral position at Encounter Church in Jackson. My role will be pastor of discipleship and pastoral care, along with being on the teaching team. There are more details about the job, but that is not what I want to focus on in this announcement. There is more.
 
Encounter Church wants to merge with Central Wesleyan Church. They know we are a small congregation with a big heart, and we do quite a bit for the community even with our small numbers. They also know we struggle for volunteers and resources. Yet, we are very strategically located near the heart of the city. 
 
Encounter is a growing body of believers working to reach the people of Jackson and Homer in tangible ways. The impact of their growing and effective ministries to Jackson’s inner-city is limited by their location on Robinson Road. Their ministries would be expanded and even more effective with a location closer to downtown, and that is where the Central building comes into the picture. Our building would be used for ministry to those in the city much more than it is today, through counseling, recovery ministries, and an expanded food ministry and love closet.
 
Central’s church board and Encounter’s church board have both unanimously approved this proposal. Prior to a church vote, both pastors with the support of their boards proposed this to the Great Lakes Region (our parent body), and the GLR board unanimously supports it as well. The churches will vote on June 8th on the merger. 
 
Personally, I’ve sensed the Holy Spirit’s hand on this decision. I thank Encounter for their vision to work better together, and I believe it opens up many more possibilities for effective ministry.
 
Pastor Bart