In May, we were excited and proud to watch Chris graduate from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity. Seminary is an incredible privilege and we are so thankful that Chris was able to attend and finish.
In July, Chris was officially ordained for ministry by the elders and congregation of Cornerstone Baptist Church. He prepared a lengthy doctrinal statement and defended it for four hours before a council of local pastors. They unanimously voted to recommend him to Cornerstone to be ordained and the church officially ordained him on July 12. It is really hard to describe what a blessing this was for me to see the people that have invested in me since I was so young now ordain my husband for Gospel ministry.
Finally, as I mentioned in my last post, Chris's internship at Cornerstone ends at the end of December and so he began the process of looking for a pastoral position to serve in back in March. We prayed, we asked God for wisdom and direction, and the Lord began to make his will known to us.
This past weekend, Chris and I traveled back to Lindale, Texas for Chris to officially candidate at First Baptist Church of Lindale. From the first time Chris had talked to them about coming on staff, we were struck by their love for the Gospel. Then, as we visited the first time, their love for each other was just as evident. We were also overwhelmed at their love for us and our family.
On Sunday, the congregation voted in favor to officially call Chris as their new Associate Pastor of Education and he accepted so we will be moving to Texas the week after Christmas! We are so excited to join in what God is doing at First Baptist Church of Lindale and to serve the people of the church and the community.
Many people have asked us, "Why Texas?" Quite simply, because that is where the Lord has called us to go, and when he calls you to go, you go! But we are confident that when He calls you to go He will also provide. Though we leave close family and friends, we are confident that God will sustain old relationships while helping us to develop new friendships (which we are already so thankful to have started making in just our two short visits).
One of my favorite songs is He Leadeth Me and it sums up our desire for our family in our lives. Thank you for your faithful prayers for our family. We appreciate them greatly and continue to covet them going forward.
"He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me. "
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me. "
