Hello New Hope,
For the last month we have been receiving resumes from Worship Pastor candidates for the job opening we will have in Pastor Mark’s absence. We have been looking for someone who will take over the full-time responsibilities of leading and pastoring the worship and tech teams of the church. This will involve volunteers who serve in singing, musicianship, live sound, lighting, graphics, and livestream video and audio. This person will work directly with me and the church staff on the planning and execution of every worship event at New Hope.
After reviewing many resumes we decided to talk further with a young man from Liberty, MO named Sutton Porth. Sutton is the worship leader at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Missouri. He has been the main worship leader at Pleasant Valley for four years and has been on staff for six years. He and his wife, Madison, are moving to Nashville this summer so Marissa can begin Law School at Vanderbilt University. The church staff and deacons have had an opportunity to interview Sutton and we are excited to have him in town this coming weekend to be a guest worship leader for our team. We invite you to join us this weekend, whether in-person or online, so you can meet Sutton and Marissa.
To be clear, Sutton is joining us as part of the interview process. No job offer has been made at this time. We have been impressed with his strong personal walk with the Lord, his positive attitude toward worship and the church, and honestly, the way he has conducted himself in the interview process has been impressive. Sutton’s references couldn’t speak more highly of him so we thought it would be healthy to give him an opportunity to lead one of New Hope’s worship weekends. Please be in prayer for the weekend ahead. We know that God has the perfect worship pastor for New Hope, and we also know God has a perfect plan for Sutton and Madison.
In Other News: Sunday, May 23
(This plan is tentative until high school graduation dates and times are confirmed.)
On Sunday, May 23 we will have a special time of honoring Pastor Mark and his family for their four years of ministry service to New Hope. Pastor Mark and Lisa will be moving to Dyersburg, TN this summer to join the pastoral staff of First Christian Church. The official last Sunday for Pastor Mark will be Sunday, May 30, but we’re going to honor him and pray a blessing over his future on May 23. Make plans to join us on that day.
The Future of Connect Groups
We are excited to have Austin Duncan take over the responsibilities of coordinating Connect Groups for the Fall semester. You will begin to see more of Austin in New Hope’s worship services so you can say hello and get to know him a little better. Austin has been New Hope’s Communications Director for nearly three years. He has a desire to move into pastoral ministry at the church so we felt this was an opportune time for him to develop in this role. He will still oversee the communications of New Hope, but when Pastor Mark leaves he will take over the responsibility of Connect Groups, getting new people engaged with the church, and developing a discipleship pathway for church members.
Playground Renovation Update
The rainy weather in March sidetracked our Playground renovation plans but I want you to know that construction on the new playground will begin in early May. We’re looking forward to the many exciting things that will be happening in New Hope’s back field in the future!
Blessings,
Pastor Josh
