As I flip the calendar from December to January I often think to myself, I never saw last year coming. This practice has served to remind me of the unexpected paths of providence. This past year was no different.
This brings me to some news. I have accepted an offer to serve as the Senior Pastor at Redeemer Fellowship Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. (For those unfamiliar, Watertown is a town on the Charles River in the Greater Boston area.)
As you might imagine, these last several months have brought a range of emotions. I’m excited about the opportunity to serve in Boston, while at the same time, sad to leave so many friends and family at Emmaus and in Omaha.
Emmaus and Omaha are dear to me and my family. More than 20 years ago, I came to Nebraska in the military. I wasn’t a Christian. I had never even heard the gospel. Then, God arrested me by his grace. I heard the good news of the gospel that Jesus Christ died for sinners like me. I repented of my sin and trusted my Savior. In due course, I began training for ministry and years later, planted Emmaus Bible Church (2011). What began as a dream on scratch paper turned into loving community committed to making and training disciples. The church is in a really good place with solid leadership and a committed membership. The transition process involves men who have been trained and developed here at Emmaus. Our hearts are forever wed to this church.
Having been born and raised in Massachusetts, the area has been weighing on me since conversion. I immediately became aware of the need for gospel work in New England in general and Boston in particular. I am sure you don’t need me to tell you that Boston is consistently one of the least religious cities in the nation even as it surrounded by the most unchurched states in the country. Some estimates have the evangelical population in the area at or below 2 percent, which according to the IMB, would classify it as an unreached people group. I am aware of a number of faithful gospel ministers in New England who are working hard in a really rough patch. When this opportunity came to me, I had to prayerfully consider my own responsibility to come and do my part.
I am so grateful to our elders and members of Emmaus who are unified in their desire to send our family to Redeemer Fellowship. I praise God for the unified spirit for this work; I am not resigning but being sent out.
Lord willing, in June we will be moving to Boston and begin serving at the church. We are very much looking forward to getting to know the saints at Redeemer and serving together. The church is healthy and also the beneficiaries of the Lord’s evident grace. We are also thankful for the Lord’s kindness in allowing our family to move to Massachusetts not only to serve him but also to be near many family members.
If you are willing, my family and both churches would greatly benefit from your prayers. Thank you.