11/07/2023
Dear Church,
Roughly a year and a half ago, Pastor Marv asked Pastor Mike: “What are your aspirations for ministry in the coming years?” He replied that day: “I feel as though my next step in ministry is to be a lead pastor.” I was excited for him and together we sought to prepare him for that next step. He started taking Mdiv courses and we talked about the ins and outs of lead ministry over the course of the next year. About six months ago, Pastor Mike came into his regular weekly meeting with Marv sensing that the Lord was impressing upon him and Kate that he was to begin the process of moving into the next steps of lead ministry and begin to put his resume out. Shortly after, he came before the elders to state the same. We’ve been praying with and for him during that time. About 2 months ago, he began the interviewing process with the district and Norwin Alliance Church. One month ago, Pastor Mike and Kate went to Norwin to candidate for the lead pastor position and two weeks ago they received the call to ministry there! Here is what Mike and Kate desired to share with you, their church family.
I wanted to let my IAC family know that I have accepted a lead pastor position at Norwin Alliance Church, which is near Pittsburgh. Though I continue to have a passion for both worship and college ministry, I have sensed God leading me to move into a lead pastoral position. I will be starting at Norwin in January and will be here at IAC through the remainder of 2023.
This is a bitter-sweet time for me and Kate. On the one hand we are excited about this new opportunity, yet we don’t want to leave either! We will always treasure our time serving with Pastor Marv, the staff, the leadership, and those in the worship and college ministry. We have loved serving and being a part of IAC and getting to know you. We are thankful for all the ways you have blessed our family these past 4+ years.
We will keep you in our prayers and look forward to hearing amazing things about what God is doing in and through Indiana Alliance. Pray for us as we gear up for a season of packing, selling our house, and moving; and that I would lead Norwin Alliance as one dependent on the Holy Spirit.
God bless,
Pastor Mike & Kate
Church family, it is not often that a church can see a healthy transition such as this, where both the church and the pastor are sad at his departure, but also knowing it is the Lord’s hand upon his life. Pastor Mike has allowed us to come alongside him, speak into his life, and help walk alongside him preparing him for lead ministry. We will greatly miss Mike and Kate, but look forward to what the Lord is doing in and through them!
Pastor Mike has been completely transparent with the leadership since day one and this has helped us get ahead of some things in preparing for his departure. We have been able to review several resumes, have 3 initial phone interviews, and one ZOOM meeting (and one to come) with potential candidates. Pastor Mike’s heart is the same as ours- to have little to no gap between Worship Pastors and so he has been instrumental in helping with this!
Next Sunday (November 19) we will have a potential candidate visiting for a candidating weekend for the Worship Pastor position. His name is Drew and his wife is Theresa. They have two beautiful little girls and we are excited to have them come to see what the Lord has for them and for us. We know this will seem “jarring” for some as it seems quick, but we have been working with Mike on this for some time and Mike is more than happy to have them with us and to help Drew in any way. We will discuss this more at our annual meeting.
We also want to be sensitive to how we’ve known for several months Mike’s journey and you were unaware. This was not to be inauthentic or non-transparent but simply because there was no guarantee as to when Pastor Mike would leave. Even though he candidated, we were not sure with 100% certainty what would happen. Two Sunday’s ago, he heard back from Norwin with an offer right after church and last Sunday I was not present to share the news alongside Pastor Mike. We do apologize for the tardiness of this news and hope it has not overly caused frustration.
Thank you for praying for Pastor Mike and please pray alongside the elders as we look at a promising candidate on 11/19 together as a church.
To Mike and Kate- we are so blessed to be a part of your lives and sit under your ministry. Seeing “Miracle Michael” born and start his first two years of life has been a wonder to behold! We pray the Lord’s blessing over you and are grateful for all three of you!
If you have any questions, please direct them to Pastor Marv: [email protected]
In His Name,
IAC Elders
