February has been a cold month here in Robbinsville, and we welcome the warmer days that remind us that spring is coming soon! This month has been a month of transitions and waiting on the Father (more on that below), but in the past week it has also become a heavy month as we pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are bravely risking their lives for their freedom. Would you join us in praying for the Ukranian people and their leaders?
For Sarah and me personally, this month has given us time to transition to a changing mission field here at ETM and at RFBC. February was our coworkers Ben and Jess Thacker's last month at ETM, and they have been training and preparing us to help step in to the responsibilities they have filled here. While we will miss working with the Thackers on a day to day basis, we could not be more excited for what God is doing in their lives, because Ben is joining RFBC full time as the Discipleship Pastor. As RFBC continues to look outward and make disciples who love and live like Jesus, the need for an additional full time pastor has become evident and God has provided the funds for the church to make this addition. Please pray for the Thackers and RFBC during this exciting period of growth and change!
Ben's role as discipleship pastor has meant he must step down as the youth pastor of RFBC, and after talking with the elders of the church, I have accepted the position of Youth Pastor at RFBC. The church voted to approve me as Youth Pastor on 2/27, and I am humbled by the opportunity and eager to begin. This is a part time position, and Sarah and I are grateful for ETM and its structure that allows us to work with local churches in whatever ways God is leading. The Youth Pastor role will not change our job at ETM, or our mission to help local churches become spiritually healthy through discipleship. But this is an exciting opportunity to partner with the leadership at RFBC to help disciple the youth here in Robbinsville. Your prayers for that endeavor are coveted.
In addition to these changes, after a long search, ETM's board is close to announcing a new president, along with ETM's founder and president Colin McDougall's retirement. These are major changes taking place both in RFBC and at ETM. But, as our world has reminded daily over the past week, the only constant is change. We are prayerfully seeking to follow the Holy Spirit through the change so that we can help serve the Body of Christ.
Our day to day ministry work continues, as we seek to not grow weary in doing good. I have been leading a Sunday School class at RFBC based on Tony Evans' sermon series called Kingdom Voting. It challenges how disciples should view politics, government, and voting while calling Christians to live as Kingdom Independents, making the Kingdom of Heaven our top priority. The sermon series was life changing for me when I originally went through it, and I am hopeful it can provide the same encouragment to those in the class.
The Monday night life group we host has been an encouragement, and we have recently been able to celebrate answered prayers among members of our group. Watching people grow in their love for one another and in their application of the Scripture is an encouragement and motivator to continue this important work.
Thank you for your support. Our ministry is only possible through people like you partnering with us through prayer and through financial support. If you would like to join our financial team, you can reach out to us or send a check to:
Eternal Truth Ministries
PO Box 1240
Robbinsville, NC 28771
Thanks again. If there are ways we can be praying for you, please let us know.
