To say the last 10 months have been unexpected would be the understatement of my life. With some significant challenges and setbacks have also come some great blessings. What a privilege it has been to preach the Word of God to over 30 different churches all over the Commonwealth and to participate in more than 9 revivals. To connect with pastors and congregations alike, to witness the successes and the struggles, all the while knowing the kingdom of God is always on the move. Connecting with churches and ministry leaders is one of the most enjoyable tasks I have on this earth.
As I’ve worked to finish my PhD dissertation, though (Come, Lord Jesus), my heart to shepherd the local church never really left. In fact, I’ve found myself in pastoral roles throughout these travels, offering a word of encouragement or a word of counsel here and there. I’ve talked with more committees, conducted more interviews, and filled out more questionnaires than I ever thought possible, all the while knowing that something wasn’t quite right, even as some good offers and possibilities came and went.
When my home church contacted me early last year, my desire was not to return to the place where I grew up. Don’t get me wrong: I love Glendale Baptist Church, they’re family, and it’s good to visit with family, just so long as you don’t have to work with them, right? Then there’s the whole can you lead the place where you grew up? Will you be the seasoned pastor with a dozen years of ministry experience or the 4 year old kid who threw up in the church Living Christmas Tree? It’s a legit concern!
After talking with the search team several times over the last few months, though, along with trusted friends and counselors, I’ve determined this role is what the Lord is calling me to do. And at that point, it’s ballgame for me. And so today (March 8th, 2020) I accepted that call.
We’ve got some challenges. There’s about 70 of us, we’ve got some overhead in debt, and in some ways we need to update our methods significantly. But the one thing that Glendale Baptist Church knows how to do is mission. We’ve done it for 60 years, seen thousands baptized, and hundreds called out. And God willing, we’re going to do it again.
On Sunday, September 13th, about 6 months from now, we’re relaunching as Glendale at Cave Mill, with a new location and a new vision for a ministry focused on Bringing in, Raising up, and Sending out a Generation #ALLin for Christ.
We’re going to rebrand and rethink our strategy, update our technology for broadcasting, fix our parking, and add a decent church sign, and we’re going to try to raise $100K to do it. If you want to give to the Glendale Relaunch Fund, be my guest. Tax write-offs in heaven for you!
But the bigger ask is this: if God has laid a mission mentality on your heart, and you’d like to come help us for the next 6 months as we relaunch, my goodness could we use you. We need greeters and tech people, ushers and musicians, kids workers and youth workers. I’m not a prosperity gospel guy, but at this point you can name it and claim it for the volunteer needs we have. Come to one of our services prior to the relaunch, we meet each week at 1807 Cave Mill Road. I’d love to have a conversation with you.
But most of all, pray. If you’re not active anywhere in church right now, why not give us a shot? If you’ve been hurt by church before in the past (and maybe unintentionally by us), I promise you, if you walk through those doors, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. We'll meet you right where you are. Come home.
We’re kicking things off on Easter Sunday, April 12th, with a goal of moving toward that September 13th relaunch date.
There’s 10,000 people within a mile of our 16 acre campus, 50,000 within 3, and 20 million vehicles passing through I-65 annually, just a couple of minutes away. BG / Warren County has 140,000 people in it right now, and is projected to have 180,000 by 2040. The harvest is plentiful. Lord, send laborers.
Behind Hobby Lobby, across from Greenwood Mall.
The best of the old meets the best of the new. Come see for yourself.
Let's tell a new generation of His excellent greatness.
Let's call out the called.
Glendale at Cave Mill:
Bringing in, Raising up, and Sending out a Generation #ALLin for Christ
#GlendaleCaveMill
