Last night I shared with the church that Terry Lanford has accepted the pastorate of the Grassy Pond Baptist Church in Gaffney.  For a long time Terry and I have been discussing the possibility of him going into the pastorate.  God has put it on his heart that this is what he is to do.  We have spent a great deal of time praying for the right place.  Grassy Pond is an excellent place for him to serve.

We have walked through this process together.  While I hate to see him go, I am in agreement with him that this is what the Lord would have him to do.  He is extremely valuable to us.  But we have to remember that if it is the Lord’s will for him, it is also the Lord’s will for us.  Just as He has something great in store for the Lanfords, the Lord also has a better plan for our ministry.

We are fortunate in that we get to be a “small” part of what God is going to do in another place.  We have had that opportunity before and it is a blessing for us to have it again.

We will be having a reception for the Lanfords this Sunday night after church.  I certainly hope that you will be there to honor them and to show them our love and appreciation for all they have done for our fellowship.

Since I have been a part of this process, I have been thinking and praying about what we are to do next in this area.  I am confident that God has the right person in store for us.  We just have to be faithful in seeking His will in this matter.  I would like to ask you to join me in praying that the Lord will give us some very clear guidance in the days to come.

Terry is a dear friend and is one of the best doing his job that I have ever seen.  It is a great loss to us and to me particularly, but I am excited about what the Lord has for them and for us.