RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Church Family,

The Lord has a new plan for us and for you. I’m giving a year’s notice that I plan to retire on February 29, 2024. I will turn 66 and a half years old near that date. My Social Security will be available in full then. And most of all Connie and I feel the Lord’s guidance to initiate this change. I share this with mixed emotions of sadness to leave a ministry I’ve loved, yet with faith, hope and excitement for what the Lord has in store. I’ll admit there is some holy fear and trembling about a major change after serving in one church for over 27 years. But, I know God’s got us and You! 

You welcomed us and have loved us so well. Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve you in this place. You’ve taken good care of us. We’ve developed so many good Christian relationships and friendships together. You are family to us. You’ve helped us disciple our children. And you’ve given each one opportunities to serve in the church, Melissa as a Children’s Intern, Amanda as a Worship leader, and Spencer as a Counselor and Worship Leader. You have treated us like your own. You have helped us through difficult challenges and celebrated life’s milestones with us. In spite of our flaws, you’ve allowed us to be real and loved us anyway.

You have worked alongside us in so many ways. I’ve never heard of a church so willing to serve. Most churches have 20% of the people do the work. And we have more like 80% doing the work. You’ve been patient, forgiving, loving and willing to follow. We’ve built facilities and lives. You have been flexible with changes for the good. Many of you have helped us start new Connect Groups and other ministries. The Lord has helped us more than double the size of our congregation. We have grown spiritually along with you and seen the Lord grow the church in depth and number. 

It has truly been an honor to serve alongside such a truly gifted and dedicated Pastor and staff as well. Our support staff and Pastoral staff are some of God’s best Servant/Leaders. Our church is blessed to have them all. I couldn’t have done much without such a cooperative, Spirit-led Team. 

God has blessed our church in so many ways through the years. The Spirit has empowered us and led us to accomplish much good ministry for the Lord. His hand of blessing has been on this congregation and will continue into a bright future.

I plan to overlap a couple of months with whomever the new person will be for my position. I want to help facilitate a helpful and smooth transition. My hope is to provide a great start and continued support for the new person and for the new Senior Pastor as well. The new person may have some similar gifts and abilities but will have some new ones too. I hope you will be as supportive and encouraging with them as you have been with me. Pray for me, for them and the process; that the Lord will guide all the way. He’s got a good plan.

I hope my last year with you will be one or our best as we turn on the afterburners to finish strong. After I retire I may take some extended time off. But, I plan to always be in some kind of ministry. I may shift gears to a part-time position somewhere. Connie and I are open to the Lord’s will but not sure yet if we will stay in Hot Springs or not. So, please pray for our next steps as we will always keep you in our prayers and fondest memories. 

The promise in Jeremiah 29:11-12 is true for us and First Baptist: “For I know the plans I have for you” declares, the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” So let’s covenant together to pray for His plans for the future! He’s got a good plan for FBC. And as John has encouraged, let’s Embrace the Change! And charge into the Lord’s future. I believe you are yet to see the best days for the First Baptist Family!

Thank you, Love and Prayers, 

Danny Bryson, Education and Outreach Pastor