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Pastor's Annual Report |
John Wetzig, Senior Pastor
I reread last year’s report. 2005 was a year of ‘continuing on’, seeking to improve what we were already doing. 2006 turned out to be a year of major events.
We started with raising funds for the Wetzig’s trip to India. How blessed we were, to see the commitment of our church body to help with this. We enjoyed a great evening, celebrating my 55th birthday with a ‘roast’, which really turned out to be a blessing. Through this, along with other fundraisers, a total of nearly $6,000 was raised for this trip.
The actual trip took place in March. Debbie and I were privileged to minister in two locations in India, training and encouraging pastors and local churches in the work of the Lord. We were actually encouraged, probably even more than our new friends in India. God blessed us with safety and good health, for which we give Him thanks. The work in India continues to be very exciting. Over 300 pastors have been trained, and are receiving support to minister in villages all over India. Debbie and I anticipate one more trip over there to assist this March.
In February, our youth pastor Ran Campbell announced the end of his ministry among us. As he finished, God used him in heading up the Josh McDowell ministry in our area, in which 1200 youth were challenged to commit their lives fully to Christ. We were very blessed with Ryan’s ministry and friendship.
After Ryan’s resignation, the people of the church came together to serve our youth. We worked with a volunteer staff over the next four months, and then hired three of our college youth, Greg Clark, Emilie Hendryx and Randy Wetzig, to serve as summer interns. We had an excellent summer of ministry. They culminated their ministry with taking a group of youth to DCLA in Los Angeles.
During the spring and summer, we had a group of our church members working as a search team for our next youth pastor. Bill Turner led that group, and the result was calling Andy Pullen to work with our youth. He began his ministry in September, and we rejoiced with him over his marriage to Jill Wetzig in December.
Other areas of ministry continued on strongly. Our AWANA and Sunday School programs continue to be very successful. Our children’s staff conducted Vacation Bible School and Berean Junior Camp, under the leadership of Debbie Wetzig and Mark & Sue Freudenberg. It is so awesome to me to see the people of our church come together to reach children of our community for Christ.
Adults are also ministering to one another in numerous Bible Studies, Sunday School classes and small groups. Many are involved in the worship ministry of the church, in ushering, serving, cooking and blessing others.
Beginning October 1, Pastor Ron Campbell took a much deserved Sabbatical. He and Renee’ have served us faithfully for the last 7 years. They visited other churches, took some needed vacation, and enjoyed working on their new home. We are so thankful to have them back with us in the ministry.
We were saddened at the end of the year with the news of our former youth pastor Ryan Campbell’s death. We grieve together with his family over this loss. Stacie and her children, as well as Ron and Renee’ and the rest of the Campbell clan, continue to need our prayers and encouragement. The memorial service for Ryan brought great honor to our Lord Jesus as we heard friend after friend challenge the audience to give their lives to Christ. Dr. Rich Brown addressed the audience on Ryan’s behalf, and nearly 1500 people were challenged to trust Christ.
2006 was a year of events. We don’t know yet what 2007 will bring. One emphasis that the pastors and the Board believe the Lord would like us to address is Outreach. While we need to improve our worship, fellowship and education, as we evaluate our church, we believe we must give renewed emphasis to outreach. We believe the Lord has placed us in this time and place to live out the Kingdom of God, and to invite others to our Savior. Our hope is that this year we can refocus on reaching our community with the good news of Jesus Christ.
I am so grateful to the Lord and to our wonderful body for the privilege of ministering together in Grenada for these past 23 years. Your love and prayers have sustained us. Your rich love for us has given you patience with our humanness. Your faith has encouraged our faith. Your testimony has been heard throughout the area. May the Lord allow us to continue to richly hold out His light through our lives and through our community together.
Your fellow servant,
Pastor John Wetzig