2021 July news letter article

​Hello First Baptist Church families!
 
It is with profoundly mixed emotions that I am writing my last newsletter article.  We announced a few weeks ago that we have seen God leading and accepted a call to serve at a church in Richmond, Virginia, as their Children’s Pastor.  While we are certainly excited for all that God is doing, we all want to communicate how deeply we will miss you all and how thankful we are for all that you have done to encourage and support us in our ministry here!
 
In light of this transition, I want to assure our families that First Baptist Church of Walnut Cove is doing everything possible to maintain momentum in both our IMPACT and SONquest ministries!  We still will have Sunday School for all ages, SONquest Children’s Church during our worship service, and discipleship opportunities every Wednesday for our students, children, and families!  As we have parents and volunteers step into different roles and capacities, my prayer is that y’all would continue to be as supportive, engaged, and encouraging for them as we were so blessed by y’all being for us!  Ministries are possible because of the time and energy that families commit so I am truly thankful for how willing and support y’all have been these past two-and-a-half years.  The volunteers, parents, and helpers stepping into the various roles will need all of that energy, commitment, and support that has been so profoundly impactful for Ashley and me!
 
As Ashley and I make this transition, I want to share how profoundly thankful we are for the time God has given us here.  Your patience, encouragement, and wisdom has been instrumental as I’ve grown in the ways that God is calling me to minister and serve His Church.  The call to ministry I experienced is constantly being refined and shaped and I have been so blessed by how God used y’all in that process.  I am excited about the work God will continue to do and will always keep this sweet church family in our prayers!  If I may be so selfish, my prayer is that God truly will work through this transition and that it would be glorifying to Him and much more of a “See y’all soon” then a true “Good Bye!”  Please do not hesitate to keep in touch and reach out if ever there is anything we can do to further one another along!  We love you, church, and are so thankful for how y’all are sending us to continue to be faithful to the call God has placed on our lives!
 
-Luke Long
Student and Children’s Pastor
First Baptist Church