Having had the privilege to serve as a pastor at Faith Baptist Church for almost six years, I've experienced an incredible journey of personal and spiritual growth! As we continue to prepare for the next adventure, planting Grace Church of Sunbury, I'd like to briefly share three lessons that have deeply impacted my walk with Jesus during my time here at Faith.
Growing Together: The Importance of the Local Church in Spiritual Development
A Biblically grounded local church provides a nurturing environment for believers to grow in their faith, engage in corporate worship, and be held accountable by fellow Christians. Through biblical teaching, discipleship, fellowship, and opportunities to serve, the local church cultivates spiritual maturity and equips believers to become more Christ-like in their daily lives. Without sounding conceited, I believe that my time at Faith Baptist has been a period of growth in various aspects of my life - my walk with Jesus, my marriage, my parenting, my preaching, and my shepherding. This growth was made possible through the grace of God and the support of our local church community. I've come to understand the immense value of prioritizing the local church in fostering growth in godliness. I've witnessed the unwavering faith and dedication of many of our members, which has encouraged me and spurred me and others towards growth in Jesus. The power of their testimonies and shared experiences has reinforced the importance of the local church as an integral part of our spiritual walk with Christ. (Heb. 10:24-25, Eph. 4:11-12, Acts 2:42)
Humility in Serving: Recognizing God as the Architect of His Church
The Bible teaches us that all glory and honor should be given to God, as He is the one who designs, builds, and sustains His church (Mat. 16:18). Our role as believers is to humbly submit to His plan. One of the most profound lessons I've learned is that ministry is not about me or anyone else in the church - it's about God and His work. He alone builds His church, and we should be humbled to be a part of it. As we look to plant Grace Church, we remain mindful that it is God who does the work, not us. We hope to replicate the close, accountable relationships we have developed at Faith Baptist in our new church, fostering an environment where believers can thrive and grow together. At the same time, we acknowledge and recognize that it is God who ultimately orchestrates and guides our path, and we are simply tools for His divine plan.
Loyalty to the Word of God: Embracing Change and Saying Goodbye
Change is an essential part of our lives and spiritual growth. Often, when we accept that change is inevitable but our hearts remain the constant, we can readily trust that any circumstantial movement is part of God's divine plan for our lives. This is not to say that change is always easy; in fact, it often requires us to be uncomfortable as we face the unknown. However, by grounding ourselves in the Word of God, we can find the strength and guidance needed to navigate these changes with constant and supernatural grace. There are wise ways and unwise ways to leave a church. Throughout my time here at Faith, I've come to realize that people can come and go, but what must remain steadfast is our commitment to the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). For some of those departures we have rejoiced! Others, we have grieved. It’s been challenging to see friends move on, but it has taught me that while we cherish the relationships we make, our ultimate loyalty lies with God and His Word. By tuning our hearts to what is true, we can find help and hope through the grace of God. This understanding has helped me navigate changes and transitions with grace and trust in God's plan, knowing that He sovereignly knows what is best for His church and my life.
From the moment we first set foot in FBC during the couples banquet, our hearts were drawn to love this church. Since then, we have thoroughly enjoyed each season of church life alongside our friends. Together, we have shared memorable experiences such as Vacation Bible Schools, young adults ministry, Missions Months, participating in outreach weekends, embarking on missions trips, and celebrating “big” Sundays like Easter and Christmas. We have had the opportunity to attend music conferences, contribute to Seedline Bible Projects, worship together at Church in the Park, and witness the incredible transformation brought about by the massive building project. We have enjoyed attending member meetings, participating in prayer services, and engaging in Spiritual Renewal Conferences. Reflecting on the countless moments of congregational praise and biblical messages, our hearts overflow with gratefulness for the ways in which our faith has been continually strengthened. As Laurie and I prepare to depart Faith, we carry lessons and memories from our many years here. The biblical love, support, and encouragement we have received from this church has profoundly impacted not only our spiritual growth, but also our relationships, including our marriage and role as parents. For that, we are forever grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such incredible people, and eagerly anticipate the ways God will continue to work in our lives as we prepare for this next season.
Sincerely,
Pastor Jordan