Some Thoughts on Being at FBC Wimberley for Ten Years

This month marks my ten year anniversary at First Baptist Church, Wimberley. It was around the summer of 1997 that I began praying earnestly for God to move me to another church, one where I could be a full time minister of music, rather than continuing in the combination position of music and youth minister, which I had done for 13 years. There was a 2 year period in which I taught middle school and served as a part-time music minister, but if I had continued doing that I would have probably suffered a nervous breakdown, not because of the church work, but because I was never called to teach in a middle school environment. Leslie knew it too, but she let me experience it to find out for myself that full time ministry was God's ultimate call on my life.

Anyone who knows me very well realizes that I love living in central Texas and wouldn't desire to live anywhere else. As a matter of fact, there was a time when I served on the mission field. Well, it was at a church in Wichita Falls, but it felt like a mission field, because I was over 300 miles away from the family and friends that I knew in central Texas. Ten years ago, Leslie's parents and my parents lived in San Antonio, but I also had relatives in Austin; so I prayed that God would move me to a church either in San Antonio or Austin, where I could be close to home. I never would have imagined that God would have planted me right in between these two great cities! But this is exactly what happened. I'm reminded of the scripture verse many of us know by memory. But I really like how the New Living Translation puts it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

There was a path that God wanted me to take, and it led right to First Baptist, Wimberley. What a wonderful journey it has been. When I came to the church, we were having two traditional Sunday services. And now we have two very different services, contemporary and traditional, or whatever labels you want to put on them. The beautiful thing is that we worship the same true and living God in both settings, and that we are one in the Spirit.

Eight or nine years ago, a friend asked me what I thought God had in store for me in the future. I simply told him I would like to remain at First Baptist Wimberley as long as possible, loving the people here, and growing with them. He just said "that's awesome." The friend I'm referring to is Cole Phillips, former student minister here, who is now the pastor of the Connection Church in Kyle.

In my ten years here I can remember being the sole ministerial staff member twice. They were short times, to be sure, but challenging. You see, I've never thought of myself as a great leader. I'm much more comfortable in the 2nd or 3rd chair position of church leadership. And let me say that I am so happy to be working alongside the wonderful staff that we now have here at FBC! Our pastor is a man with a lot of vision, and a lot of great ideas for this church. It's a pleasure to work under his leadership. And what a great time to be celebrating ten years, because didn't we just break ground at the corner of Ranch Road 12 and Winters Mill Parkway!

There are a lot of volunteers in this church who help me, in both the music and senior adult ministries. And if I tried to name them, I would surely leave some people out. So let me just say that there's no way I could have ever stayed here this long without their support and encouragement. I feel that way about our congregation, as well. I have been overwhelmed at the love and encouragement that this church family has extended to my family through the years. Earlier this year you allowed me to take a two month sabattical, for which I'm grateful. It was such a blessing to be able to worship the Lord in many different congregations, without having to be the one in charge of planning the services.

Finally, let me say thanks for putting up with me all this time. It's been an honor to serve here. And I want to thank my faithful and supportive wife, Leslie, who has traveled with me on this wonderful journey. Our children were very young when we moved here. This has been a wonderful community to raise a family. As for our church, it's the desire of my heart that we continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18), and that we strive to always be making a difference in the community and in the world. I echo the words of the German music composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, who used to sign his manuscripts "Soli Deo Gloria" - "To God alone be the Glory."