Thank you GPBC
By Wayne Williams --
We are at that point in our pastoral transition process where I am finding myself saying, “This is my last______ [fill in the blank: staff meeting, sermon, elder meeting…] as lead pastor.” So, this is my last blog as lead pastor. It’s a good time for some thank you’s. Our Lord Jesus, in his great love and grace, and the congregation of Greater Portland Bible Church, in your extraordinary and gracious support and responsiveness, have given Paulette and I the best years of our ministry career so far. Thank you, Lord Jesus, and thank you, Greater Portland.
The elders with whom I have served for these eight years, have all been godly men who have a heart for our Lord, a deep and abiding love for this church, and a supportive and tangible love for me. Thank you, elders.
GPBC has been blessed with a staff of employees and volunteers who are talented, capable, and dedicated to our well-being. They have made the management part of my job a delight. Thank you, staff.
Likewise, the directors of our various ministries and the ministry teams that serve under them, have been a joy to work with. They are the people who give hands and feet to our church’s purpose of helping people follow Jesus together. Thank you, ministry directors and teams.
Our church has a reputation in the Christian community and in the Portland community for being Jesus-centered, warm and friendly, and serious about serving the SW Portland community in the name of Jesus. Together, our elders, staff, and ministry directors and teams are largely responsible for giving us that reputation. Thank you to you all.
I have full assurance that it was our true senior pastor, our Lord Jesus, who directed us to make this leadership transition. That assurance was affirmed when he brought us Jay Gjurgevich to be the next pastor. He is the right man at the right time. And while there is some sadness for me in leaving a role that has been so rewarding, it is more than offset by the knowledge that I am not leaving you. It gives me pleasure to anticipate serving our Lord with so many who are friends, more than colleagues.
Again, thank you, and see you Sunday,
Wayne
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to some of my favorite women in the whole world!