06/02/2024
To Orphan City Church,
There is no easy way to say this… Ashley and I are stepping down from leading Orphan City Church as of June 30. This wasn’t an easy or quick decision, nor a relatively recent decision we made. We started praying about this midway through last year as we got a sense that it might be time to step back from leading and pastoring Orphan City. Over the coarse of several months, we prayed, met with mentors and denominational leaders, seeking God and the wisdom of the Church. At the end of that time, I sent my letter of resignation as Senior Pastor to FMCSC leadership.
Again, Ashley and I did not come to this decision lightly. There have been many moments of prayer, tears, questions, concerns about the future for both our family and the church. But ultimately, there is hope. I have hope for the future of Orphan City Church, whether that means the continuation of this specific ministry, its story, its mission, or the continuation of ministry through the people that make up Orphan City Church. I say this because as of today, I do not know if Orphan City Church will continue past June 30. There are conversations with certain people to see if they want to be appointed as Senior Pastor of the church, however nothing is definitive yet. Individuals and families are seeking God for their own deployment and if God wants to use them in this ministry in this way. I am not sure how God will answer them and the denominational leaders that will need to appoint them, though I know God will continue to work in and through every person that has joined the mission of Orphan City Church to bring Hope to the Fatherless, Heal the wounds of broken people, and move in Unity to restore Boyle Heights, East LA, and beyond.
Ashley and I are blessed to have been your pastors for the last 8 and a half years. We are grateful for your willingness to serve along side us, to share in life, in gospel work, in hard work of sharing the gospel with words and actions. Many of those 8 years had challenges, but with faith we overcame them. And with faith we will continue the work God has for each of us.
I do not know what Ashley and I will do next, other than take some time to process the last 8 years and this change. We don’t have a specific church lined that we will start attending or serving in. Our focus has been on finishing well here and trying to secure the future of Orphan City Church. And since we have done everything we can possibly do for this church, this people, that we love and will continue to love dearly, it is now time for us to step away.
We do truly love each and every one of you. And while we will not be your pastors and leaders, we will always be family because of the Father that has called us into His family. Since we will always be family, know you will always be in our prayers, in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Again, thank you for the last 8 years.
Your friends,
Alex and Ashley Bowman
