08/31/2026
MY FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF NEW BEGINNINGS
James Edwin Cossey
On October 7, 2024, Myrlene Cain Cossey and I accepted the appointment to serve as Interim Pastor at New Beginnings Church in Russellville for a three-month interim. As we began to work hand-in-hand with the good people of this congregation and good things began to happen among us, the interim was extended, and as of next month, I will have served this congregation for two full years. Time has flown by! I have never worked with a more unified group of people than these!
God has given us a healthy increase in attendance and finance. We have invested more money in the upgrading of our facilities than we had in the bank (and our founding pastor, Robert O'Bryant left a healthy bank account and all bills paid when he retired). Unbelievably, after all God has helped us do, we have more than twice the funds on hand that we had two years ago! Isn't God good?
A few weeks ago, it was understood that my tenure would end on October 7, 2026, the second anniversary of my coming. All good things must come to an end, right?
The past few days I have been in intensive dialogue with our State Bishop, Mark Carver, with some very intentional discussions regarding the future of New Beginnings. We both recognize that my time is limited (I will be 79 years old in December). God has blessed me and I am grateful, and without sounding boastful, I suggest that I can get more done before breakfast than some guys get done all day (okay, I AM boasting...but, like Paul, only in the Lord!). God is good and I am grateful for his blessings!
Bishop Carver and I agreed last week and he presented it to the church yesterday a recommendation that I be reappointed as pastor at New Beginnings for a period of six months from the anniversary of my coming (until April 2027). The congregation agreed unanimously (I am grateful for the unity in this church!).
We are appointing a transition committee of members within the congregation to work with me and with Bishop Carver in projecting the future of New Beginnings and of projecting an appropriate pay package for the future pastor here, and to project ways to ultimately transition to the future in the will of God. I will remain here until that person is chosen. At his directive, Bishop Carver and I will vet all candidates. Goofballs, drifters, and preachers who bounce from church-to-church need not apply. Whomever my successor may be must "marry this church and this city" and be ready to make a commitment to move here, live here, love here...and stay here!
Yesterday was a good day! A great day! The future is bright! I am excited! New Beginnings is excited! Yesterday was a NEW BEGINNING for NEW BEGINNINGS! Myrlene Cain Cossey and I are happy to be a part of what God is doing here!
The future is as bright as the promises of God!
