What's Up with ESBC Pastor?

That is a great question. From the looks of my posts it would be easy to imagine the answer to that question is "not much." In reality, there has been a LOT going on especially over the past couple of months!

We have been in the midst of a significant transition. God has been at work to relocate us to a new area of service. I sure did not go looking for this change, but it came looking for me. I have been blessed to serve the Everett Springs Baptist Church family since May of 2008. We just finished 7 years of ministry together. The Lord's blessings during those seven years have been abundant. Over the past couple of months we have sensed the Lord at work in redirecting us. At first, we were not sure of this potential change in ministry. Through His Word, prayer, good counsel and the witness of the Spirit we have come to clearly see His hand in this move. On Sunday, July 19 I will preach my last service at Everett Springs. The Everett Springs Church family has been a model of how to release a Pastor to a new area of ministry. The expressions of love and encouragement have been many, for which we are most grateful. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them, as they too will be in a time of transition searching for a new Pastor to lead and shepherd them.

On July 26 I will preach in my first service as the Pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Calhoun, GA. We are looking forward to seeing the Lord at work in this new area of ministry for us. You may keep up with us through this blog which will now be focused on the ministry of the "Exciting" Salem Baptist Church (so ESBCPastor will still work :-))

We plan to hit the ground running with "Awesome August" at Salem Baptist. We are praying and working to have 600 in Sunday School for the month of August. Along with an emphasis on our Sunday School attendance I will be preaching a series of messages with the theme of "NEW." Our theme verse in Isaiah 43:18-19... “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." I am believing God is still "doing a new thing" for His people. Each Sunday we will be challenged from the Word with the New Things that God has in store for us. But that is not all!

Every Sunday night in August will be a special time of worship. Mark your calendar and plan to be with us on....

• August 2 at 6:00 Chalk Artist Melanie Ingle-Myers will be with us. It is going to be great!
• August 9 at 6:00 we will enjoy a concert with Jason Taylor. Jason is a good friend and a great singer. We will be blessed by his ministry to us.
• August 16 at 6:00 we will go back in time by viewing the film "Sheffey" Our hearts will be challenged as we ride the circuit with this traveling preacher. This is the true story of an unusual servant of God, who as a rowdy young man followed his friends to a revival meeting and there found the Lord. A man of prayer, tireless service, and great compassion, "Brother Sheffey" rides through the Appalachian Mountains spreading the gospel.
• August 23 at 6:00 we will enjoy a church wide picnic. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship will be available for everyone!
• August 30 at 6:00 we will have a soul stirring, toe-tapping "Singspiration" The Salem Baptist Church choir and church family loves to sing and we are going to have a singing on August 30 that you will not want to miss! 

So now you know "What's Up" and "What's Coming Up" for ESBCPastor.

I look forward to meeting you at "Exciting" Salem Baptist Church!

Pastor Mike