March 10, 2013
Dear Leaders, Members, and Attenders of Friends in
Fellowship Christian Church,
Six and a half years ago, the Lord led Exie and me to
minister with you. And God has blessed
the time we have shared together more than words can express. We’ve been invited into your homes and
lives. You’ve served us and been
generous with us as we’ve served you. We have been blessed by deep friendships
with you, we’ve experienced several victories together, and some failures. We’ve gone through grief, and we’ve shared
the joy of celebration. We love
you. In many ways, you are not just our
church family; you are FAMILY.
That is why we are sad to share with you that the Lord is
now leading us in a new direction to a new ministry. Today, I am announcing my resignation as
minister of FIF, effective April 7th, after which Exie and I will be
moving to Rural Hall, NC (near Winston-Salem) to plant a new church. The new congregation will be a daughter
church and satellite congregation to the Jefferson Church of Christ.
The bittersweet part of this change is moving 3 hours away
from all of you, and leaving a community of which we’ve grown a part. I realize for many of you this decision comes
as a surprise and is perhaps a bit shocking.
But let me assure you that this decision was not made quickly. It is the result of nearly a year of
conversations. It’s a decision that has
been bathed in prayer, and confirmed in numerous ways.
Let me also make it clear that we are not leaving this ministry
in response to anything negative that has happened. Truly, we don’t feel like we are leaving, but
being led to a new challenge. And like I’ve shared in today’s message, it’s
a scary challenge. If I’m going to
practice what I preach, then that means we are going to leave our comfortable
life here behind and take a huge risk with this new venture. But we also believe with great risk can come
great reward for the Lord’s Kingdom.
Please, pray for us. We
desperately want your blessing, our brothers and sisters, our friends and
neighbors – our family at FIF.
Lastly, pray for this church. And be encouraged that while our decision may
surprise you, it is not a surprise to God.
Just as he has been leading Exie and me into this transition, I believe
he has been working behind the scenes to prepare for another minister – whoever
he may be – to come serve here. Time
will reveal how God has worked all this together for the good of those who love
him.
The elders have, reluctantly, accepted my resignation this
week. On the promise that I make them a
nice dinner and don’t make them load the moving truck (j/k). And over the next 30 days Exie and I are
committed to loving on each of you, answering your questions about our move,
and making the transition as easy as possible.
But ministry will go on after we move.
I think I now understand what it must be like for a soldier who leaves
the battlefield while the fight continues.
There is still so much good work to be done!
If I have done my job in these last several years, then I
have pointed you to Jesus. I have
challenged you not to GO to church, but to BE the church. And empowered by his Holy Spirit, I believe
you can continue to share the love and life that is only found in Jesus
Christ. Let us all continue to share him
and grow his kingdom, until he returns!
Marty
Acts
20:36-38
