Dear Kingsland Family,

Seven years ago, Jessie and I were sitting in our apartment in Atlanta, GA reading about a church that had called and set up an interview with us.  That church was Kingsland and as we read about it, we were so impressed.  I remember looking at Jessie and saying, “If this church really practices what they believe, this is a unique and amazing place.”  We would soon find that they did.  We knew God was taking us somewhere special but had no idea how much we would fall in love with this body of believers.

For the past seven years, we have had the incredible privilege to be a part of this amazing church.  The blessing you have been to our family has been profound and immeasurable.  You have poured your lives into Jessie, myself and our three kids.  When we moved here, we only had one little one.  And now our youngest of three kids is almost four.  Two have placed their faith in Christ and so many of you have made such an impact and difference in their lives.  Really, in all of our lives.  And so, it is with a very heavy heart that I am resigning from Kingsland.

The Lord has called us to another place of ministry.  And I want you to know that I don’t use that phrase lightly.  We have struggled and agonized over this decision.  We’ve sought godly counsel and gone back to the Lord time and again asking for clarity, peace and His clear will.  And he has given that clarity but in a different way than we thought.  So, we will choose to be obedient to His leading.  It has always been and will always be His story.

We have been called to Bay Area First Baptist Church in League City.  My role there will have three major functions, Executive, Spiritual Formation, and Teaching.  I will have the opportunity to invest in leadership, discipleship, connecting church and home and preach regularly.  We are excited for what the Lord has and yet our hearts are heavy.  We are very thankful for the opportunity to remember that this is God’s story and not ours.  He is always faithful and He has purpose in all that He does.

Though the timing is difficult and honestly, I don’t understand the details of God moving us now, I do know that He is leading.  I believe that Kingsland has amazing days ahead of her.  If I could in any way be encouraging, remember who you are as the bride of Christ.  Jesus gave His life for His Church and He is still preparing for the time He will come again to come for us, His bride.  His love is relentless and His passion for you, His people, is unfading.  He is the Good Shepherd.

Partnering in ministry these past seven years has been an amazing adventure.  Whether in our ABFs, whom I have known best, or in our preschool, children and student ministries, God has raised up amazing men and women to lead and make a difference for His Kingdom.  It has been a privilege to walk alongside men’s and women’s ministries in the past, our door greeters, welcome teams, ushers, and so many more.  God has blessed Kingsland through your faithful service and love for Him.  Lives have been changed because of God working through you and using you and He will continue to use you for His Kingdom.

Through this time of change at Kingsland, stand firm and remember Who you serve.  Continue to fight the good fight of our faith.  Be encouraged to lead with excellence, especially now.  Pray with fervency, love each other well and forgive one another quickly.  Kingsland’s past has moments of trial not unlike the one we find ourselves in now.  But, it is through the faithfulness of you, the men and women, students and children who choose to love God and love others that He will use to walk Kingsland through this valley to the great days He has planned ahead.  Stand firm.  Or as the Lord told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous!”

Parents and Grandparents, continue discipling the next generation.  Continue turning the tide of our culture one home at a time.  Fight for your kids the fight that matters and leave them with the one thing that changes everything – a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ.

I would love to conclude with a prayer.  This is our prayer for Kingsland:

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:9-14, ESV)

We are forever grateful for the blessing you have been to our family.  We love you deeply.

Josh & Jessie