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Countdown to Baruch Ha'Shem
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Dear Hillcrest Church Family,
I can hardly believe we just have two more Sundays at our Hillcrest Road campus before we move to our new, temporary home at the Baruch Ha’Shem Messianic Synagogue…! God is truly doing a quick and great work in delivering us from the stranglehold of debt and setting before us a open door of opportunity to pursue our Antioch destiny…!
Earlier today, I took a moment to record a video clip with some of my thoughts about where we are and about what is coming over the next few weeks. When you receive this email, I encourage you to take a few moments and view it online by clicking the picture above or on this weblink.
Teresa and I love you and thank God for the privilege of serving you…! We believe more strongly than ever before that the very best is yet to come…!
See you on Sunday…!
Pastor Mark
mbrand@hillcrestchurch.org
http://www.markbrand.org/
www.twitter.com/mwbrand
P.S. In case you did not receive Pastor Susan Rutledge’s recent email sharing her heart about the new season of life and ministry she believes the Lord is calling her to, I have inserted it and the end of this message. We love and appreciate her very much here at Hillcrest Church and we will be honoring her in a special way at the end of the month of May. We will send you more details later. We are also very excited about the way God has raised up Rolanda Green to serve our congregation and our children as we move forward into our future. She and her husband, Terry, and wonderful people and we are blessed of God to have them as part of our team!
From: Susan Rutledge
Subject: Personal Update From Pastor Susan
Dear Hillcrest Friends,
I had hoped to talk in person this week with the people I've worked alongside and been closest to at Hillcrest Church, but I've realized it's just not possible. I'm sending you this email, because I value you as a friend. You've had an impact on me in my years of service at Hillcrest, and I want to share with you some important news.
In the past months, I've sensed God preparing me for a change. While I've had open conversations with Pastor Mark about retiring "in a few years", I expected to stay through our transition to a new location. But in recent weeks, God has shown me that the decisions to be made regarding Hillcrest's children's ministry should be made by the person who is called to lead it long-term in its new season.
Two weeks ago, God spoke to me as clearly as He did when I accepted my position nearly 18 years ago…and told me my assignment at Hillcrest was complete. I knew if I was going to walk in obedience to the Lord, I had to turn in my resignation that day - and I did. I told Pastor Mark I felt incredibly guilty leaving at such a pivotal time in the church. But as I've had time to process my decision, I realize how wise God is. It is the absolute perfect time. As Hillcrest is about to experience a new birth, He is putting in place the team that will establish a new, strong foundation and build up on it. I leave with peace in my heart, knowing God's hand has orchestrated a special plan for Children's Ministry.
While He has been preparing me for a transition out, God has been working in the heart and life of Rolanda Green to bring her in. Rolanda has both experience, training and a call on her life for ministering to children. As a volunteer, she accepted major responsibilities while covering for me while I was on sabbatical, and continued with those even after my return. We have talked of her succeeding me one day, and I'm thrilled to tell you she will be officially coming on board May 1 to lead our Children's Ministry into a wonderful future!
I will remain on staff through the end of May. I don't know what God has in store for me - that is a walk of faith as Grant and I wait to see. I would love to be able to devote full time to writing and video work - two of my passions. I also will enjoy the freedom to spend time with my eight (soon to be nine) grandchildren.
My years at Hillcrest have been blessed by the people I've known. I will treasure my precious memories and forever count each of you as my friend. I know you will love and support Rolanda as she moves into this new role, in the same way I've felt your love and support for me.
God bless you!
Susan Rutledge
Pastor of Children & Family Ministries
Hillcrest Church
Dallas, TX
972.392.3992, ext. 148
Follow My Blog:
http://web.me.com/susanrutledge
Dear Hillcrest Church Family,
I can hardly believe we just have two more Sundays at our Hillcrest Road campus before we move to our new, temporary home at the Baruch Ha’Shem Messianic Synagogue…! God is truly doing a quick and great work in delivering us from the stranglehold of debt and setting before us a open door of opportunity to pursue our Antioch destiny…!
Earlier today, I took a moment to record a video clip with some of my thoughts about where we are and about what is coming over the next few weeks. When you receive this email, I encourage you to take a few moments and view it online by clicking the picture above or on this weblink.
Teresa and I love you and thank God for the privilege of serving you…! We believe more strongly than ever before that the very best is yet to come…!
See you on Sunday…!
Pastor Mark
mbrand@hillcrestchurch.org
http://www.markbrand.org/
www.twitter.com/mwbrand
P.S. In case you did not receive Pastor Susan Rutledge’s recent email sharing her heart about the new season of life and ministry she believes the Lord is calling her to, I have inserted it and the end of this message. We love and appreciate her very much here at Hillcrest Church and we will be honoring her in a special way at the end of the month of May. We will send you more details later. We are also very excited about the way God has raised up Rolanda Green to serve our congregation and our children as we move forward into our future. She and her husband, Terry, and wonderful people and we are blessed of God to have them as part of our team!
From: Susan Rutledge
Subject: Personal Update From Pastor Susan
Dear Hillcrest Friends,
I had hoped to talk in person this week with the people I've worked alongside and been closest to at Hillcrest Church, but I've realized it's just not possible. I'm sending you this email, because I value you as a friend. You've had an impact on me in my years of service at Hillcrest, and I want to share with you some important news.
In the past months, I've sensed God preparing me for a change. While I've had open conversations with Pastor Mark about retiring "in a few years", I expected to stay through our transition to a new location. But in recent weeks, God has shown me that the decisions to be made regarding Hillcrest's children's ministry should be made by the person who is called to lead it long-term in its new season.
Two weeks ago, God spoke to me as clearly as He did when I accepted my position nearly 18 years ago…and told me my assignment at Hillcrest was complete. I knew if I was going to walk in obedience to the Lord, I had to turn in my resignation that day - and I did. I told Pastor Mark I felt incredibly guilty leaving at such a pivotal time in the church. But as I've had time to process my decision, I realize how wise God is. It is the absolute perfect time. As Hillcrest is about to experience a new birth, He is putting in place the team that will establish a new, strong foundation and build up on it. I leave with peace in my heart, knowing God's hand has orchestrated a special plan for Children's Ministry.
While He has been preparing me for a transition out, God has been working in the heart and life of Rolanda Green to bring her in. Rolanda has both experience, training and a call on her life for ministering to children. As a volunteer, she accepted major responsibilities while covering for me while I was on sabbatical, and continued with those even after my return. We have talked of her succeeding me one day, and I'm thrilled to tell you she will be officially coming on board May 1 to lead our Children's Ministry into a wonderful future!
I will remain on staff through the end of May. I don't know what God has in store for me - that is a walk of faith as Grant and I wait to see. I would love to be able to devote full time to writing and video work - two of my passions. I also will enjoy the freedom to spend time with my eight (soon to be nine) grandchildren.
My years at Hillcrest have been blessed by the people I've known. I will treasure my precious memories and forever count each of you as my friend. I know you will love and support Rolanda as she moves into this new role, in the same way I've felt your love and support for me.
God bless you!
Susan Rutledge
Pastor of Children & Family Ministries
Hillcrest Church
Dallas, TX
972.392.3992, ext. 148
Follow My Blog:
http://web.me.com/susanrutledge
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