Important News From Pastor Ralph
Dearest Friends,
It is truly a wonderful life that the good Lord blesses us with on this journey we have embarked upon. Think about all the wonderful unexpected twists and turns that we experience in life, some of them planned, most of them…not! But believing that the good Lord is Sovereign and that Jesus our Lord loves us, as well as the daily needed ministry of the Holy Spirit, we know that everything that happens to us, happens for us.
That most certainly has been the case with Sherri and I, we have been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations to serve the Lord in such a wonderful and faithful family such as the one that we have here at First Baptist. It has been awesome.
I say, has been, because December 31 will be my last official day as your Pastor, my last sermon will be on December 25, until that day we continue to look forward to the weeks of ministry that are ahead of us as we worship together and celebrate the birth of our Lord as well as ministering through the Living Christmas Story.
Sherri and I will live in Lake Ozark, Missouri and I will be a bi-vocational Pastor of a small 20-person church, Spring Valley Baptist Church of Henley, Mo. The people at Spring Valley have been so gracious to allow me to spend Thanksgiving and the Christmas season with you one more time, I am indebted to them.
You have been faithful throughout the years and resilient throughout COVID and the days that have followed. I know how much you love the Lord and it shows. Great things are happening here, people are being saved, there is growth numerically, increased baptisms, and spiritual growth continues to be evidenced by deeds of love and sacrifice. Trunk or treat was just amazing! It is an exciting time to be a part of the family of God here.
We learned last week from the Scripture that sometimes are easier to say, “Thank you” to God than others, but that at all times we are able to look for His grace and expect that the Lord will be glorified.
But when it comes to you, every one of you, gifted by God, to serve Him and love Him, well…it’s one of the easy times to say to all of you, “Thank you very much!” for allowing me to be your Pastor throughout the years, you’re the best! Thank you for your patience, understanding, and acceptance of our family…we have never deserved any of it, but it has all been appreciated.
Continue to love God and love people.
We love you all and we most certainly will miss you! You will be in our thoughts and prayers,
Bro. Ralph and Sherri,
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
READY!.................BREAK!