Dear First Pres,
One of our church’s Core Values is Transformational Leadership. That value is lived out in our shared leadership model of Ruling Elders & Teaching Elders leading together. It’s lived out in our many ministry teams where congregants are leading in ministry together. It’s lived out in the intergenerational relationships where our more experienced members are encouraging and sharing wisdom with younger members. It’s lived out in our Summer Staff program where young adults spend the summer working on our staff and leading in the midst of our congregation. It’s lived out in the Pink House ministry where young adults study and practice leadership together. It’s lived out every day as FPCers serve in their neighborhoods and workplaces.
But another way it is lived out is in the raising up of leaders that we send out into other leadership venues and opportunities. Last year we sent Nathan & Kristen and their 3 children to a country where only 0.6% of the population is Christian. Yes, we miss them, but we count it a privilege to send out workers into the world.
Another one of those we have sent out is Beth Paz. Beth came to Fresno to go to college at F.P.U. It was there that she heard about the Pink House program and quickly signed up. After college Beth joined the staff of InterVarsity here in town. Eventually she became a member of FPC Fresno, served as our High School Director (2017-2019) and came “under care” of our church and presbytery as a candidate for ordained ministry. In 2021 Beth was called to serve as the Director of Young Adult ministry at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, CA. And now, the Lord has made it clear to Beth that she is called to serve as an Ordained Pastor for Lake Avenue Church. This Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. is Beth’s ordination service and it is my privilege to participate in the service (this is why I’ll be leaving as soon as the service is over on Sunday). Congratulations, Beth.
And, praise God for FPC Fresno! Beth is just the latest in a long list of people who have been encouraged by First Presbyterian Church Fresno in their journey toward fulfilling God’s call in vocational ministry.
This is part of what it means to be committed to Transformational Leadership together. May the Lord continue to use us in raising up leaders for His harvest (Matthew 9:38).
Blessings,
Jeremy
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