September 29, 2006

Dear Grace Family,
 
We are still in a state of “gratitude shock” from the final weeks at Grace.  The outpouring of love, appreciation and generosity towards us was incredible.  ”Thank you”, “appreciation” and “gratitude” a just don’t seem to capture how we’re feeling following such an incredible farewell.

 Perhaps most telling to us were the prayer bookmarks with “Grace to You”, that the Grace family would continue to pray for us and our future, is something for which we are humbly grateful.
We thank you from the top, middle and bottom of our hearts for everything but especially for praying for us in these days of transition.

We’re attempting to follow faithfully the Lord’s leading in this new stage of our lives.  Already, some of the things we mentioned in our May 6th congregational letter are beginning to unfold.
 
Regarding more time with our children and grandchildren:
We’ve completed helping our very pregnant daughter and her family move into their new home about a mile from their previous house in Yuma. We’ll be back in North Carolina in late September, helping Tommy and his family get settled in their home near Duke University.
 
Regarding working with smaller churches that need encouragement:
We’ll be returning to Pass Christian, Mississippi in mid-September to meet with those we were able to minister among earlier this year at Bible Fellowship Church in the Katrina aftermath. In addition, as we’ve mentioned personally and publicly, we’ll be joining with the pastoral leadership team at our daughter’s church in Yuma: Oasis. 

Our role will be similar to the one in Mississippi earlier this year, but for many internal reasons, more officially on the Oasis church’s staff.  The Lord has led us to this smaller church (about 1/12th the size of Grace) with whom it appears we can be a source of pastoral encouragement after a very debilitating two years or so for them.  Please pray for us as we begin serving the Lord among the Oasis fellowship October 1, 2006.
 
Please pray too for our possible involvement in camping ministry.  We want to see how we can be used of God to help those camping ministries who’ve been so much a part of our family’s lives over the last 30 years.
 
Thank you for an incredible 22 years and an incredible farewell filled with such kindness and thoughtfulness.  In these last months, I’ve often thought someone may ask me some day, “ What was the greatest thing that ever happened to you in ministry or life?”  I’ll have to answer without hesitation, that after knowing Christ, loving and being loved by our family, we had the privilege of serving the Lord for almost 22 years among some of the most gracious, generous, loving and Godly people I ever expect to meet this side of heaven: the family of Grace. We hope you know the depth of our appreciation for all you’ve done for us.

We will miss you desperately daily and we’ll be praying for you regularly.
 
With deepest appreciation & G-2-U
Pastor Tom & Sharon

May 1, 2006

Dear Grace Family

After a great deal of reflection, intercession and consultation the time has come to announce my retirement from the role of Senior Pastor at Grace Baptist Church.  I’m in no way retiring from ministry of the Word of God or the work of God in the larger body of Christ.  I hope to devote whatever remaining time the Lord Jesus gives me in ministry to be an encouragement to smaller churches that may be struggling, interim ministries in local churches, seasonal service in camping ministry and any other doors of ministry opportunity the Lord may open. Just as importantly we look forward to investing more of ourselves and our time in our children and grandchildren by living nearer some of them and spending longer periods of time with those that are further away.  This new page in my life and that of our family certainly means a change for the Grace family too.  Saying good-bye is rarely comfortable but necessary as God has made clear His will and timing for the Givens family and the Grace family in these days. Let’s continue to pray for each other and the future of the Grace family in these days of transition.

The days of transition and Grace’s future are certainly in the Lord’s competent hands. After all it is His church not ours.  We are so grateful to God for a dedicated staff with whom we’ve been able to serve over the years. Our church staff includes many excellent and dedicated teachers of God’s Word.  The Grace family will be enriched by their teaching ministries as well as their selection of teachers until the time God identifies and the church calls another Senior Pastor.  Until then, the committed leadership of our church, I’m confident, will be used of God to manage the Grace family into a whole new era of fruitfulness for God’s glory. These same leaders will provide regular updates to the Grace family regarding transitional details and other important events. 

We are humbled that the Lord would give us almost 22 years of ministry at Grace.  It has been an incredible opportunity to grow together in so many ways. The family of Grace has been so kind and considerate in caring for us, supporting us and serving with us over the years. Our recollections of the whole span of ministry together, on the brink of our departure, are some of our greatest sources of encouragement in these days of transition.  Thank you for your patience with my crazy ideas and imperfections!  You have been a wonderful church family to help me grow as a person, pilgrim and pastor.  Thanks to so many of you for your investment in the personal development and spiritual growth of our family, especially our children as they grew from children to adults here at Grace.  Thanks for the incredible friendships and relationships that have enriched our lives beyond description.   Thanks for your constant prayer on our behalf.   Thanks most of all to God who has made possible this wonderful journey we’ve enjoyed together.  We pray it has honored Him most of all.

Grace To you

Pastor Tom & Sharon

Deut. 10:21