Dear Church Family,

We want to share an update with you regarding our ongoing search for our new Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Youth. Our search team has been working diligently, and we are encouraged by the progress being made.

Current Search Efforts:

The position is now officially posted and active in several key locations:

  • The Gospel Coalition
  • The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) Great Lakes District website.
  • Our own church website, where you can find the listing featured in the main navigation on the home page.

In addition to these postings, Pastor John is personally reaching out to his network of ministry contacts to share this opportunity with potential candidates.

Understanding the Timeline:

We want to be transparent about the timing of this process. Recent data from the EFCA indicates that the average search for an associate pastor currently takes between 12 to 18 months. While we are eager to welcome a new pastor into our community, we are committed to moving at the pace of the Holy Spirit to find the right leader for our church as we are "Doing Life in Christ" together.

A Note of Gratitude:

We want to extend a huge thank you to our Administrative Team. They have done an incredible job setting up clear lines of communication and building a process to assist the Elders to follow as candidates are beginning to emerge. We are so grateful for their time, effort, and organizational heart.

Moving Forward in Faith:

The Elders feel a strong conviction that this position is vital for the health and future of our church. We are also deeply encouraged by you, the congregation. Your continued financial faithfulness has positioned us to move forward with confidence, confirming our collective commitment to this new chapter of ministry.

How You Can Help

  • Pray: Please continue to pray for the search team, for the man God is already preparing for this role, and for our youth and families during this transition.
  • Connect: If you personally know of any pastors who are looking for a place to minister, please contact the Elders or the Administrative Team.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and love for this church. We look forward to seeing how God provides.

On behalf of the Elders,

Ryan Lyle