Dear Heartland Church:
It is with both sadness and great excitement that Pam and I let you know that after nearly seventeen years (eleven on staff) our time at Heartland Church has come to an end.
We are eternally grateful for your encouragement, support and prayers over all of these years and, even more so, for your love. You shared in many of the most joyous times in our lives and, of course, the most tragic time in our lives, and we will always thank God for each of you. In the worst of times we do not know how we would have survived without you.
At the same time, we are so thankful for the opportunity we have had to serve so many of you, and are still humbled and amazed at the many times you allowed us to be a part of the most private, intimate and important moments of your lives. It has been incredible to see God's hand at work, and we will always count serving you as one of the greatest pleasures of our lives.
Thanks to the entire church staff for your friendship over these years. There is not enough room here to say all the things that should be said to each of you. In fact, I am still looking for the words to try to explain the impact you have had on our lives.
We are particularly indebted to Pastor Dan for recognizing the calling on our lives, and for his mentorship and friendship over the years. If there is one thing we have never doubted it is Pastor Dan's love for God and his love for God's people.
Still, in the past few months we have seen the unmistakable footsteps of God leading us to somewhere new. I have accepted a job in the legal department of an incredible company and will be working with an amazing and talented group of people. As we are all commanded to do, it is my intention to work at this new position wholeheartedly, as if working for God himself. Colossians 3:23-24. ("Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." )
And, by doing so, I will also be able to continue serving God without being a financial burden on God's people. While there is certainly nothing wrong with being in full time ministry, there is also an incredible blessing in being able to preach the Gospel for free. Pam and I know that God is not finished with us just yet, and we are extremely excited about the plans He has for us. We are anxious to share more about those plans in the days ahead.
We have tried, to the best of our ability, to serve you in love -- proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the whole truth through the Word and through our way of life. Know that Pam and I love each of you -- and always will. Keep watch over yourselves and continue to draw close to God. Follow Jesus alone. We pray that God would continue to build you up so that you may attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. See Ephesians 4:1-13.
Love you all.
John and Pam
P.S., Just because we are transitioning doesn't mean we need to stop seeing the people we love!
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-13.
