05/26/2026
Church Family,
This Sunday will be our final Sunday with you at North Country Alliance Church, and Brooke and I would love for you to join us as we worship together one last time. We’ll celebrate what God has done, and I’ll also give a final charge to stay on mission for the sake of the North Country.
As we prepare for this final Sunday, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the past 4.5 years. When Brooke and I accepted the call to the North Country at the end of 2021, we came believing that God desired to do something only he could do in this church and community. Looking back now, there is so much evidence of his faithfulness.
One of the clearest reminders of that faithfulness has been the growth within the life of the church. In 2021, NCAC averaged around 57 people in attendance. Since Easter this year, that average has been 114. While numbers are never the goal, they matter because they represent people hearing the gospel, finding community, and taking next steps with Jesus.
One of the greatest joys of these years has been witnessing people publicly declare their faith through baptism. Seventeen people have gone public with their faith in Jesus Christ during our time here – and we have one more planned for this Sunday. Every baptism has been a reminder that Jesus is still transforming lives in the North Country.
We’ve also seen a growing culture of invitation and hospitality develop within the church. New faces became a regular part of Sunday mornings, and many guests found connection and a place in our family of misfits. Beyond attendance, we’ve seen meaningful spiritual growth in so many lives. People have pursued Jesus more deeply, stepped out in faith, and experienced transformation.
A couple of Sundays ago, someone said to me, “We can’t go back now!” I think that captures something important about this season. God has been moving people forward and there’s a hunger for him that won’t be extinguished.
It has also been encouraging to see the church increasingly embrace the vision “to see our community and world develop a transformational relationship with Jesus.” There is a growing desire to see this community experience the hope and transformation we have experienced in Christ.
One of the changes within the church that I think is worth celebrating is the sense of genuine community that has grown in the last few years. When we first arrived, it was common for people to leave quickly after service. Today, it’s normal to see people lingering in conversations, praying together, building friendships, and simply enjoying being together. That kind of community matters deeply because it reflects the love of Christ.
There have also been many improvements made to the church facilities over these years — from the exterior updates and new sign to the Next Steps Center, vision-focused posters, the kids ministry renovations through Phase 1 of Project Advance, and plans underway for The Forge. None of these changes were simply about aesthetics. They were about creating environments that communicate welcome, warmth, and readiness for future ministry.
As I reflect on these years, my overwhelming feeling is gratitude.
Thank you for allowing us to serve, lead, laugh, cry, grow, and worship alongside you. Thank you for your grace, encouragement, prayers, and love for our family. No season of ministry is perfect, but it has been deeply encouraging to witness God transform lives, deepen faith, strengthen community, and expand the church’s impact throughout the North Country.
We love you deeply, and we are incredibly grateful for these years together.
We hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we celebrate all God has done.
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin Fontenot
P.S. My personal email is [email protected]. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
