December 17, 2024

In just fourteen days my fourteen years (plus a couple of months) will officially be over as your pastor here at Faith Temple.  Oh, my goodness,  how time flies!

What a blessed time this has been.  I thank God for directing and placing me here.  I have tried to obey His leading every day – praying, listening, planning …  praying, preaching, teaching … praying  visiting, and ministering to our fellowship and the community around us.

Butch and I have given as much as we could, but have received far more from each of you.  The relationships we have made in this fellowship and community have enriched our lives and changed us forever.  We have been so richly blessed by so many words and deeds that money simply cannot buy.  Wonderful memories of our time here will never be forgotten.  We praise God for what He alone has done.

Some may think we are leaving because of our age and health.  These are certainly facts of life, but not the reason for our decision to leave at this time.  God spoke to me clearly in mid-October: “Your time here at Faith Temple is over”.  We must obey God’s voice and leading.  My health issues requiring four surgeries in fourteen years have been interruptive and painful, but not damaging  to my spiritual growth nor for the church.  Those times have been opportunities, YES opportunities.

I have been reminded that Jesus, our Savior, paid the ultimate price for our redemption.  He has called us, kept us, Justified us, and is sanctifying us daily as we allow,  so we may join Him in glory  when we are done in this world.  I joyfully remind myself, and us all, and am encouraged by        1 John 5:4 “For everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, EVEN
OUR FAITH.”

I may not be delivering sermons from a pulpit for a time, but it is more important to LIVE a sermon.  We all can, and must, do so until the time He calls us home!

Let us all continue to live joyfully in obedience to His Word and guidance.


With great  love, friendship, and faithfulness
Pastor Debbie & Mr Butch