Dear Violet Baptist Church Family,
A new season is beginning at Violet, and my heart is filled with gratitude, humility, and excitement for the future of our church.
Violet has been an important part of my life and my family’s life for many years. This is where I came to know Jesus, where I was baptized and discipled, and where God confirmed His call on my life. It is difficult to put into words what it means to now have the privilege of serving as your senior pastor. I do not take this responsibility lightly, and I am deeply grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and trust. I am also thankful for Pastor Rick and the faithful way he has led Violet for the past 30 years. We are able to look toward the future with confidence because of the strong foundation that has been built through decades of faithful ministry. While leadership seasons change, the mission Jesus has given His church remains the same: to make disciples and help people know and follow Him. I truly believe God has an exciting new season ahead for Violet, and that season begins now. On November 1st, we kicked off a new sermon series called ALL IN: Everything We Have. Everything We Are. For Jesus.
What does it really mean to be all in with Jesus?
It means recognizing that everything we have, our time, abilities, relationships, influence, opportunities, and resources has been entrusted to us by God. Following Jesus is more than adding Him to one part of our lives. He invites us to surrender every part of who we are to Him. Throughout this series, we will look at what the Bible teaches about faithful stewardship, biblical generosity, and living with open hands. My prayer is that each of us will ask, “God, what have You placed in my hands, and how do You want to use it for Your purposes?” We will also have the opportunity to live out that message through our Christmas Missions Offering. Every gift will help take the hope of Jesus beyond the walls of Violet by supporting International Missions (IMB-Lottie Moon), Church planting and ministry across North America (NAMB-Annie Armstrong), gospel work throughout the state of Ohio (SCBO-Ray Roberts), Chanku' Waste' Ranch in South Dakota (Chanku' Waste' Ranch), and local ministry here in the Pickerington community. When we give together, we participate in something far greater than ourselves. We help missionaries go, churches begin, communities experience the love of Christ, and people hear the gospel, some for the very first time. I’m excited to see what God will do through the generosity of the Violet family. Then, in December, we will turn our attention to The Promised King: The Story of Christmas. Long before the manger, God promised that a King was coming. Throughout December, we will trace that promise through Scripture and see how it was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. In a world searching for peace, hope, and lasting joy, Christmas reminds us that God has come near and that His promises can be trusted. This will be a great season to invite friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members to join us. Many people are especially open to attending church during Christmas, and a simple invitation could become part of someone’s journey towards knowing Jesus. All of this will lead us toward a very special day in the life of our church: Vision Sunday on January 3. On that Sunday, I will share the vision I believe God has placed before us for Violet’s next season of ministry. We will celebrate the foundation God has already established, look honestly at the community He has called us to reach, and discover how we can move forward together with greater clarity, purpose, and unity. Vision Sunday will be more than an announcement or a presentation, it will be an invitation for every person who calls Violet home to see where God is leading us and find their place in what He wants to do through our church. I believe our greatest days of ministry are still ahead. There are children and students who need a strong foundation of faith, young adults and families looking for a place to belong. There are hurting and lonely people all around us in our community who do not yet know Jesus, and God has placed Violet here to reach them. Please begin praying now for January 3. Mark the date on your calendar, make plans to be here, and come ready to take this next step together. I cannot wait to share what is ahead and begin this journey with you. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your pastor. Kelly and I love Violet, and we are deeply grateful to walk alongside you. Let’s move forward with faith, expecting God to do more than we could accomplish on our own. The future is bright because Jesus is leading us, and we are just getting started.
With love, gratitude, and great expectation,
Pastor Eric ericf@violetchurch.com
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