Glad Grieving

Carey Dean is answering the Lord's call to minister in another church, Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN.  I am very sad that the Deans are leaving Rocky.  Carey loves God and he has beautifully and faithfully called us to magnify the glory of God and exalt the Lord Jesus.  He has helped many to use their gifts in worship leadership ministries, urging them to grow in the Lord.  He is a man of the Word, teaching and leading and counseling and praying from it.  He has been a great mentor and encourager on our staff.  He is special, humble, gifted man of God.  We have been through much together and he has encouraged me in ministry often.

It is true that I am grieving about Carey's departure, but there is a gladness about it because it is obvious that the Lord of the church is calling him to Tennessee.  So I am glad to yield to His call in Carey's life, and his family's lives, too.  And there is another reason I am glad while sad.  It is that I am confident that our Chief Shepherd will provide for Rocky's needs during the coming weeks and months because he is faithful.  Let us joyfully thank God for His gift of the Dean family to RBBC, and let us pray for them and for our church as we all seek to respond to Christ's leading.