Beginning of a New Adventure

As I write my first blog in quite a while, I am no longer a small town preacher. Call me a medium sized city preacher. God has called me and Ash to a new ministry in the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia. Being a huge Clemson fan I have been jokingly telling my Clemson and Carolina friends that God has moved us to the "gates of hell," being that the University of South Carolina is located here. In all seriousness though, we are very excited as we begin a new pastorate at Woodfield Park Baptist Church.

Our 3 1/2 years in Chesterfield, SC at Oakland Baptist Church were a true blessing. We made so many good friends and saw alot of spiritual growth in many of our people. Their were battles and mountain tops, hard times and good ones, but we would not trade the years there for anything. Oakland was the first church I was pastor at, and it was a learning experience I thank God for.

Our new church will be a challenge, but then again, what church out there is not a challenge anymore. Woodfield is typical of so many Southern Baptist churches across our state and nation today. It is filled with really good people, but the congregation is aging and a change of ways is needed to reach out to the community surrounding it.

Woodfield is smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood of 1700 homes and nearly 6000 people. It is near Ft. Jackson and the surrounding neighborhood at one point was filled with army families as many on the base lived here. Over the years Ft. Jackson has built housing on base and the neighborhood is now a diverse community of working class African-Americans, Whites, Hispanics and Asians. It is a true melting pot, and a ripe mission field. We are the only church in the neighborhood, and the neighborhood is being heavily targeted by Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. Then again, maybe we have moved to the gates of hell.

As I met with the search committee and leadership here at Woodfield beginning in early April, I was impressed with the unity in desire to reach out to this community. Everyone I spoke with was of the same heart, "we must find a way to reach these people." I didn't say it at the time, but that was exactly what I needed to hear from them. If that can be our heart here, then God can do great things!

Leaving Oakland was difficult. This was my first time leaving a pastorate for another. It is a difficult process. But I can confidently say I am 100% certain that Woodfield is where God wants me and Ash. He has opened, better said, flung open every door is this transition, and He has blessed us beyond measure as we have made the move. All of our needs have been met and exceeded, including God granting us a beautiful home to live in.

So now the mission begins in earnest. I must say I'm excited. I see what God can do here, and it thrills my heart. In all that we do let Him be the power and to Him be the glory. May the name of Christ ring out and true disciples be made. In God's timing may this community look at this church and say, "only God could have done that!" You know what the bible says, "with God, ALL things are possible." Amen! Hallelujah!