Saturday evening, several church family members, old friends and some new friends gathered at the church to help me celebrate my retirement as the pastor of Sandhills Baptist Fellowship. It was a great time of fellowship and celebration. I have many fond memories of our time in that ministry. Now, we can wait to see what God has in store for us in our “retirement.” I hope to have time to write down some of those memories, and maybe someday have something in print to share with you all (or, y’all). There were good times and bad, but the good greatly out-weighed the bad.
Also, on Friday, we had visitors from our far distant past. Some friends we hadn’t seen in almost forever, were passing through and stopped for a brief visit. How good it was to see them and find out what has been happening in their lives.
As our ministry at the church here ends, I try to remain attentive to what God might have for us to do in the future. I again go back to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah had a vision of God in His temple, and heard the voice of the Lord ask the question, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah replied without hesitation, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
I believe God has a call on everyone’s life. It starts with the call to receive His gift of salvation, and to follow Him. This is followed by a call to serve Him in some way. Many people think once a person accepts the gift of salvation, that is all that is necessary, but listen to Paul’s words to the church at Ephesus: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 4:10).
God’s call on our lives led us to Ericson. Pastor Kurt Kinney has now taken the leadership role at the church, and our ministry will change directions. As we wait for the Lord’s leading for the next chapter in our lives, I will continue writing these articles and listening for His voice. As the old song says, “When the Savior calls, I will answer. I’ll be somewhere listening for my name.”
The correct answer to the question, “Who will go?”, is this: “Send me!”
In His grip,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 
Posted by Ernesto E. Carrasco, M.C.Ed. on May 16, 2016 at 2:20 pm
There’s no retiring in God’s kingdom. God just moves you from one ministry to another. God bless you in your next job assignment! 🙂
Posted by sandhillspastor on May 16, 2016 at 2:24 pm
I agree. I have some ideas, so will just wait for clear direction. I appreciate your comments. Blessings to you.
On Mon, May 16, 2016 at 9:20 AM, sandhillspastor wrote:
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Posted by Theresa Wilton Scheffler on May 17, 2016 at 2:45 am
Thankful for you and your ministry and servant’s heart.