Today’s Scripture: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
The dictionary defines a “season” as an indefinite period of time. Seasons are a part of life no matter who you are or where you live. The calendar year knows the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Just as soon as you grow accustomed to one season, another one begins before you know it. Our physical lives are made up of seasons as well. There is the springtime of childhood where we energetically learn about life and grow up into adulthood. Next, there is the summertime of young adulthood where we marry and raise our own family. Then, there comes the autumn where our children grow up and leave the house, the time when the nest becomes empty. Last, there is the winter of senior adulthood where our grayed head becomes white with wisdom and experience. Life is made up of seasons. The same is true in our spiritual lives as believers as well. There are seasons of good times, seasons of bad times. There are seasons on the mountaintop, and there are seasons in the valley. When we think of seasons, we must never forget the fact that they are temporary, yet they are also purposeful.
If you will allow me to speak personally for a moment, I would like to share with you how the seasons of life are changing in my own life. For the last several years, I have had the privilege of serving Walker Road Baptist Church in Morganton, NC, as pastor. These have been among the best years of my life thus far in my Christian experience. It has been my joy to serve alongside a congregation of believers who love Jesus. We have laughed together, and we have cried together. We have known great times of growth, and we have known difficult times of struggle. Through it all, Jesus has proven Himself faithful to us, and I am grateful for the opportunity He has allowed me to have. The pastorate is a sacred trust, and never should the office be taken lightly. Now, I have come to a change of seasons as Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, NC, has extended the call to me and my family. My last Sunday in the pulpit with the Walker Road family will be November 3. Please pray for the church as they will begin the journey of seeking God’s direction for a new shepherd.
I am looking forward with great anticipation to what the Lord has in store for us from this point forward. Throughout the years, Green Street has been an historic congregation with a storied history of growth and passion for the gospel. This faith family has been served by many godly men whom Jesus has greatly used to lead the church. The church is blessed with a tremendous staff who are gifted and called by God, and I am humbled at the privilege to serve alongside them. Therefore, it is with much appreciation that we look to the past, but it is also with much anticipation that we look forward to the future. Please pray for me and my family as we move to High Point and make the transition to begin serving the Green Street family.
Annette Nicholson
Pastor Brandon, we will pray for your congregation for I know your leaving is mixed with happiness for you but sadness for them. It is always hard to to lose a great pastor and I am sure that is how they feel. I will also pray for you as you make the transition to Green Street. We are very excited to have you as our new pastor and look forward to all the wonderful things God has in store for you and the church body. You and your family will be greatly received. Blessings, Annette Nicholson
Mary Jo, Michael, Charles
Welcome, Pastor Brandon!
The
Nicholsons
Rita C. Haire
We are praying for you, Anita, Allie, and Andrew during this transition. Thank you for a powerful message on Sunday as you answered the call! We have dedicated and faithful church leaders and staff preparing the way. We greatly anticipate what God is going to do at GSBC! Rita
Barbara Geddie
What a privilege it is to have you join us at Greenstreet Baptist Church as our senior pastor. The Holy Spirit was so obviously present during your message, our response to you and your beautiful family, and what you shared! It must be difficult to leave a wonderful church, but we are so blessed to have you join our wonderful and faithful staff and congregation! If there is any way in which I (we) can ease the transition, please call on me (us). I was moved to tears Sunday! Thank you for your leadership and ministry.
drayvr
Brother Brandon,
Carolyn and I are so happy that you are now our new pastor.
I know you will do a great things for our church through our Lord.
I hope you received the pictures I took of the breakfast reception and your first preaching Sunday that either Robert or Bob sent to you that were in a Picasa album. Anytime you want or need any memories made of a function at our church and I’m available, I will be glad to help out as I have in the past.
May our Lord make your moving transition for your family an easy one.
David Ray
Debby Wheeler
We are thrilled that God has seen fit to call you to Green Street. We are looking forward to having you as our shepherd and working alongside you to advance the call of the gospel. We will continue praying for your transition and please let us know of anything we can do to help you settle in. As I left church Sunday, Andrew was looking out the window of the nursery and blew me a kiss!
Kip wheeler
Brandon and Anita I’m looking forward to working with you and praying for you. Last night we had a great time as a church with seniors and youths playing chair volleyball. We will teach you how to play chair volleyball. See you soon. Kip
Jennifer Ward
We are grateful that God is bringing you and your beautiful family to Green Street. We have prayed for you all for months and will continue to do so as you make this transition. We are also praying for the Walker Road congregation, as we can empathize with their emotions during this time.
Thank you for being an empty vessel for the Lord and already reminding us the importance of keeping “the main thing, the main thing”. We look forward to what God is going to do. Please let us know if you need anything! I gave Anita my phone number on Sunday.
Heath and Jennifer Ward
Gwyn Lanier
Pastor Brandon, Anita, Allie and Andrew, thank you for answering God’s call to become the Shepherd of our Green Street Flock. I knew when I heard that you went to Fruitland that you were the one we needed and after your message I just thanked God for sending you. May God be with Walker Road as they prepare themselves for searching for their new pastor and may God bless you and your family as you come to us. We have been truly blessed and I will continue to uplift you, Anita, Allie and Andrew in my prayers! TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE AND WHAT HE PLANS TO DO!
Brenda and Lewis Farlow
What a mighty God we serve! We are so excited that God has called you and your family to GSBC. We welcome you, our Shepherd, with open arms, open minds, and open hearts as we grow in God’s word together. Brenda and Lewis
Sharon Knight Carroll
Pastor Brandon,
We are so excited that God has chosen you to lead GSBC. If there is anything you and your precious family need, please let us know. We are praying for this transition to go as smoothly as possible. We welcome you, Anita, Ally, and Andrew to our church with open arms. Sweet Blessings! Randy and Sharon Carroll
Lloyd and Gwen McSwain
Pastor Brandon, we thank you for answering God’s call to Green Street.What a powerfull message you delivered Sunday. We pray for you and Anita and family during this time of transition.We pray for Walker Road as they seek a new shepherd.We look forward with excitement and anticipation for what God is going to do through you and us in the days to come.We desire to serve our wonderful Lord in any way we can. Welcome!!
Lloyd and Gwen McSwain
Toni
Pastor Brandon, you have been an amazing pastor and friend during your time at WRBC. Although you will be dearly missed, I look forward to seeing the incredible things God has in store for you ! You have led with such passion and conviction and God’s love shines brightly through you. I will be praying for you as you follow the Lord’s leading and will. You have encouraged me and also challenged me to ” get out of my comfort zone” , which in turn , helped me to become a better person and grow in my christian faith. Thank you for leading and loving us these last 6+ years. Praying for great blessings for you, Anita, Allie, ,Andrew, and your GSBC family ! Love you and your precious family !!