To the Esteemed Members and Congregation of the Blue Ridge Baptist Church:
“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool, for he is holy” (Psalm 99:5). We have so many reasons to lift our voices in worship unto God and to bow in complete and unconditional submission to him. On this day, God has afforded us the opportunity to worship together, officially, as pastor and congregation; what a reason to worship the LORD! I thank God, who, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, compelled you to elect and appoint me to the holy office of pastor of this great church. I commit myself to the most high God, who alone, I trust to lead me as I serve you, and most importantly, as I declare the word of the LORD.
A wise woman often quips, “God is serious business! He ain’t no play thing!” Her words ring ever true as I accept this pastoral assignment.
I know that you deliberated long and hard to make this decision, and it is with the utmost humility that I express my gratitude for your confidence in me. A pastor’s responsibility to those he leads is not to be taken lightly. There is much at stake; the state of the souls of the lost hang in the balance all around us, and the effort to attain an acceptable degree of maturity in our faith is a goal for which we will strive together. Just as prayerfully as you have called me, I call upon you to “be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). As “there is a time to every purpose under heaven,” Now is the time to celebrate, as this great church is turning a carefully drafted page in the annals of its vaunted history (Ecclesiastes 3:1). I anticipate
this to be a day that all of us will enjoy without reservation, and that we will reminisce upon fondly in years to come. Yet once this day is done, we must “put our hand to the plow” (Luke 9:62), understanding the command to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, “in season, out of
season” (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2). Enjoy this day, Blue Ridge, and all who join us as we praise God for all he has done, is doing and plans to accomplish as he unites this body of believers as pastor and congregation!
I love you all and I will remember to pray for you all, that we will grow together in godliness and in love. We will “fear God, and keep his commandments” together (Ecclesiastes 12:13)!
In Jesus’ name,
Marcus E. Huffman
Pastor, Blue Ridge Baptist Church
PASTOR HUFFMAN’S CONTACT INFO:
540-761-1587