It’s About Time!
By Brad Thayer August 23, 2007
Our elder, Bradford Manley Wheeler, wanted everyone to know of the nomination of a senior pastor. Here’s what he had to say:
Over two years have passed without a Senior Pastor. Two years! That’s a long time without a shepherd. Lord willing, this is all about to change. This past week we nominated Kurt Heath to come and shepherd us. (applause sound effect)
Roughly six years ago I (Brad Wheeler) sat in on Kurt’s membership interview at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. I heard about his childhood in Lima, OH, his ability to soar above the rim in high-school, and his brief stint at Liberty (sorry, Keith. Does anyone like it there?). I listened to him recount his spiritual struggles overseas in Russia, and how the Lord used His Word to bring a wayward brother back to Christ. In the ensuing months we talked through D.A. Caron’s A Call to Spiritual Reformation, I rejoiced with him over his engagement, and I remember when he first talked with me about leaving his job on the Hill as a Press Secretary for a prominent senator to pursue ministry. But never would I have guessed that years later we would call this man to shepherd our local church. What a testimony to God’s sovereign love that he gives his children such special joys.
God in his grace has sustained us well over the past two years. We’ve not only healed as a body, but have been able to put in place a new constitution, elected a plurality of elders and strengthened our Statement of Faith. The Lord has brought about a remarkable unanimity of mind in the absence of a pastor. Few churches are so blessed.
And yet despite all this, we’ve needed a shepherd. The few poor souls who sat in on our last elders’ meeting can attest to this. Was that a staff meeting, or an elder meeting? To our congregation who has so graciously endured our preaching rotation – thank you. Know that nobody desires more continuity in the pulpit than your leaders!
For this elder, September 2nd won’t come soon enough. (And to my fellow elders, yes, I did choose this title with a double meaning in mind! I assume it wasn’t lost on you. ☺)
Please check out our sermon audio to hear Kurt’s sermon from his May visit.