Jacob has been a faithful and dedicated Lead Pastor at Shirley Hills Baptist Church for over 8 years (one of only 4 Lead Pastors in our church’s 62-year history!).  During that time, he has been obedient to the calling of the Holy Spirit on his life, and we have benefited greatly from his leadership and heart for the gospel.  Jacob is remaining obedient by responding to the Spirit’s prodding to live out our own church’s focus on being “Sent.”

Jacob is tentatively planning to preach his last Sunday sermon at Shirley Hills on July 20th.  He and his family will be starting the nine-month church planting training program during the first week of August.

No other pastors or staff are planning to leave the church with Jacob, or as a result of Jacob’s departure.  Our current pastors, directors, and staff remain committed to the gospel mission and work at “The Hills.”  While the staff and elders will miss their local church partnership with Jacob, they look forward with excitement to the gospel opportunities and work God is accomplishing in and through Shirley Hills in Middle Georgia.

The elders have begun the early planning necessary to establish a Pastor Search Committee and begin the search for a new Lead Pastor.  The elders will keep church members informed as we make progress through this process.  The elders and staff have embraced the vision and ministry focus of Love, Grow, Send; and we are committed to seek a man called by God who wants to join us in serving Him under that vision.  We covet your prayers for God’s leadership of the process, and for God’s preparation of the man we will call as our next Lead Pastor.

The elders have begun discussing several options to ensure our church remains focused on our mission to Love, Grow, and Send.  We know that Kris Dekker and Jason Sikes, our two remaining ordained pastors, will continue to lead our tremendous staff, plus share time preaching the Word during Sunday morning services.  We are considering the potential for a part-time or full-time interim pastor to augment our team, but we have not yet made a final decision.

We are blessed to have two great preachers and teachers in our remaining pastors, Kris Dekker and Jason Sikes, and they will share the responsibility to preach the Word during our Sunday morning services.  The elders are also considering whether to pursue a part-time or full-time interim pastor to assist in these duties.  We may also call upon guest preachers – either from within the church or from other churches – to preach from time to time.  We remain committed to ensuring that only the full and true Word of God is preached from the pulpit at Shirley Hills Baptist Church.

The Green family would love to know that you are praying for them during this time of transition, and into their time of planting a new church in an area where the gospel is needed.  Jacob will also be responsible for raising financial support during his 9-month training period, and then into the initial time he is planting a new church (before that new church has the membership and financial resources to support him independently).  Jacob will be sharing more later on how you can commit to support he and his family, if you wish.  In addition, the church has agreed to a financial support package for these months of training, offering a method for the entire Shirley Hills family to serve as the Green’s “sending church” for this new missionary opportunity.

Thank you for asking that question!  Most of us do not like change, especially when we see God so actively at work in our midst in recent years.  So when change is thrust upon us, we have a choice.  We can choose to run away from it and let someone else deal with the change.  We can choose to wait it out, quietly and in the corner until the “new thing” is in place, and then we come out of the shadows.  Or we can choose to put our Yes on the table and see where we can step up to help be part of the positive change that is coming.  We pray that you will choose to put your Yes on the table and seek out opportunities to serve; connect closer with a Discipleship Group; recommit to attending corporate worship each week; give generously to support the work God is doing through the church; and share the gospel boldly where you live, work, and play.  Let’s just continue to Love, Grow, and Send.  Just be the church!