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Dear friends,
A year from now, in June of 2025, I will be retiring as Senior Pastor at Immanuel. The year 2025 marks my 30th year serving as your Pastor, a privilege which has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. If I were to try to express all of my profound gratitude for these joyful years of sharing love and life with you, this letter would become a book. I love Immanuel, I love all of you, and I am so thankful that Immanuel is in such a good and healthy place as we enter into this time of transition.
Having served this congregation for so long, I want to give all of us time to live into this year that will bring change. The Church Council has begun work on a transition plan for Immanuel’s pastoral leadership. They will be seeking input from members of the congregation in the next few months to assess Immanuel’s hopes and needs for the future. I encourage you to be part of this process, and I ask you to join me in praying that God will guide us all in the next year.
Change is always an opportunity for uncertainty. Questions regarding what the future will bring, and how things might change, can cause us to feel anxious or fearful. But we are people of faith, who trust that God is at work. I am reminded of God’s comforting promise from Jeremiah 29, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” A future with hope! I believe that we all have a future of hope because I know God is good and God’s love endures.
While I know a year from now it will be difficult for me to step away from Immanuel, I am looking forward to this next year of ministry, and to all the love and faith we will share together. Even more, I am comforted that, because of the new life that is ours in Jesus, our friendship endures tomorrow, next year, and into eternity.
May God guide us in the coming months as we continue to share faith, hope, and love!
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