December4, 2006 was a Monday. On that day I was excited, uncertain, confident, humbled, overwhelmed and a knotted bundle of a hundred other emotions. I was beginning my first week as the Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, the foundation upon which The Gathering would be built and I had no idea of what all was in store.
With today being the start of my ninth year as Lead Pastor, I still feel a little of all of those things. I am so grateful for all that God has done through this faith-family and am looking forward, with great anticipation, to all He has yet to do. He has raised up leaders that are second to none, built a community of faith that is solid. He has matured Believers, taking them from infants needing milk to Disciples feeding on the Word. He has, in short, done more than I could ever think, hope or even dream of.
To say this journey thus far has been easy would be a joke. To say it has been free of deep heartaches and pains would be a lie. To say it has been joy-filled would be a gross understatement. Through everything so far–all of my mistakes and all of our accomplishments–I can’t imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else.
I am grateful to God for letting me be His undershepherd for a church like The Gathering, Chattanooga. To Him be all the praise and glory!
I've been with you, 4 of 9.
Glad you have! 🙂