As I wrap up the work week there are many thoughts in my heart and mind. This past Sunday, January 28^th I completed about a 10-month interim period for First Baptist Church Mansfield. Their new pastor, Dr. Spencer Plumlee has begun his tenure and exciting days are surely ahead for this dear group of God’s people.

The conclusion of an interim pastorate is always an interesting time for me. I know ni other way to serve a local church but to love them like I am going to be there forever, but knowing my primary job is to get them ready for their next shepherd. The time I spent with First Mansfield was one of great blessing and I will miss them dearly, so I wanted to share a few thoughts as they enter into a new season.

First of all, thank you! Thank you for the privilege of preaching the Word week in and week out. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Thank you for so many encouraging words, calls, cards, and fellowship times together throughout the entirety of my time as your interim pastor. Thank you for the gratitude, generosity, and honor you shared with me and my family last Sunday night. The notes, gifts, and encouraging words continue to be such a great blessing. And we were out of ketchup, but not any longer J

Please know of my continued Prayers for each of You: I requested to be able to maintain access to the online directory so I can continue to pray for each of you and your families by name in the days ahead. I pray God’s richest blessings on you all. I pray in the days, weeks, years, and decades ahead First Mansfield will experience a great move of God and be instrumental in the development of thousands and thousands of disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am excited about your future: First Mansfield is by no means a perfect church. It is like any church, with ups and downs, successes and mistakes, but I am convinced First Mansfield is overwhelmingly a church desiring to honor Christ Jesus. God has blessed First Mansfield with an amazing new shepherd who will lead and serve in a stellar fashion. The future is bright not just because of the new pastor, but because of every individual God has already placed and will place in the family of believers at First Baptist.

I have nowhere to preach this Sunday and honestly that is always a little disappointing to me. However, I am excited about being in church with my wife and children and serving in a more substantial way at Cana Baptist in the days ahead. I am always excited about my ministry at Southwestern and have a great group of students this new semester. Please pray for us as we continue to pour into the lives of young pastors and other ministers who will leave Fort Worth and take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Thank you again, you blessed my family and I in so many ways. It was a great honor to serve you. Keep in touch and know of my continued love in the Lord for my dear brothers and sisters at FBC Mansfield!