This week, we continue in our “In-Training” series. Kyra Thomas, Our Director of Young Adults, and our Pastoral Fellow, will take on the next holy habit for our training in the way of Jesus – fellowship. You were never meant to “train” by yourself. It’s been amazing to watch our own TEAM USA in the Olympics. The athletes in each event talk a lot about their training together. And you can’t miss the way they cheer for each other. You need a team as a follower of Jesus. Also on Sunday, As Team GRACE, we will take communion together. And after service, you can practice being together at our in-between service fellowship time – we have ice cream this week!
I’m also excited to announce our newest addition to our staff team. Doug Stewart will begin his ministry as our new Executive Pastor in the middle of August. Doug and his wife Susan are Dover, Delaware natives who have spent the last years in Omaha, Nebraska. They are excited to get back to this part of the country and excited to join us here at GRACE. Doug’s first career was as a Vice President and General Manager of the AAA Omaha Royals. In his second career (as he describes it), Doug is serving as Associate Vice President of Bellevue University. When he wasn’t working those jobs, Doug was actively engaged in his Presbyterian Church serving in volunteer and staff roles in mission, next generation ministries, and discipleship, as well as serving as a trainer and teacher in BSF. Through all of that, Doug began to feel the tug to full-time ministry. He has completed seminary and the ECO ordination process and is certified ready to be ordained. We will have the privilege of ordaining him in his first few months on staff. Doug brings some needed administrative and systems gifts as well as a heart for Jesus and the local church. Doug and Susan have two young adult children, Allison and Graham, who both live in Omaha. Please join me in praying for the Stewarts as they make their way from Omaha to Bethlehem. I know you will give them a big GRACE Church welcome when they arrive.
Thanks for all of your prayers and your ideas as I work on next year’s sermon series. It is a real joy to be…
Your Pastor,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor