“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

We have so much to be thankful for in the life of Providence Presbyterian Church.

In the past 8 months since my last update, we’ve received our first members, led men’s and women’s Bible studies, organized several fellowship events, and celebrated one year since launching our first worship service.

“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

We certainly have much to be thankful for as we reflect on what the Lord has done this past year in the planting of Providence Presbyterian Church!

He brought and gathered people together during the winter, administered the details for beginning worship services in the spring, and sustained us and added to our number in the summer.

Most recently, He formed stronger relationships among us this fall.

August 14th marked one year since the church plant was officially approved by the Blue Ridge Presbytery, I was called to be the church planter, and the support raising process began.

Over these past 12 months:

• Our family moved back to the area.

• I began meeting with people who were interested in the church.

• Westminster Presbyterian Church allowed me to preach at their evening worship services.

• We hosted Vision Gatherings.

• The Lord provided a location.

• We launched our first worship service.

And most recently…

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126:2-3

Reflecting on the past several weeks since launching public worship on Easter Sunday, I can’t help but echo the psalmist. The Lord has done great things!

Glory to God for a very encouraging first service! Thank you to everyone who came to worship with us on Easter Sunday and who prayed for us. It was a special day that we’ll look back on with gratitude for years to come.

What a whirlwind of a month! Many exciting and encouraging things have happened in the 5 months since we moved back to Virginia to plant Providence Presbyterian Church, but March has been especially full of big developments and updates in the life of this new church.

Over the past month we wrapped up our Vision Gatherings, nailed down a meeting space, have been busily preparing for our first worship service on Easter Sunday, and continued to exceed our Year One support goal. Praise the Lord!

I feel like I need to begin each newsletter with a big thank you!

We’ve been encouraged by the support we’ve received from you over the past several months and we’re grateful for how the Lord has blessed us through your prayers. He continues to go before us in planting Providence Presbyterian Church and this past month has been especially exciting.

We’re currently in Phase Two of the gathering stage.

• Phase One was preaching in the evenings at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

• Phase Two is hosting informational meetings and vision gatherings.

• And Phase Three will be launching corporate worship.

We’re greatly anticipating several exciting things that are coming up for the church plant right after the New Year.

Our family made it to Virginia! We moved a couple weeks ago and we’re very excited to be back in the Roanoke Valley.

This past month has been a whirlwind for us: I preached my last sermon at Good Shepherd (for now!), we packed up and said our goodbyes in Florence, we moved into our new house in Roanoke, and we’ve begun meeting with people who are interested in being a part of the church plant.

Many important events have taken place this past month that have made the Roanoke church plant more of a reality.