Pastor Buddy’s Blog

A change at the helm…

Filed in NHL |

This is the week we begin. The results of my various scans and other tests are in. The blood marrow tests show me free of? cancer cells in those areas. My heart is fine. However, I do have lymphoma above and below the stomach diaphragm. Wednesday is my educational class and then? Thursday I begin my first chemo treatment. Because of the location of the lymphoma it appears that I’ll need eight treatments. (Course this is all subject to the greater Physician.?

I need to thank my precious daughter Shana for getting the doctor on the ball. She did not want to see me go through another weekend with the discomforts I’ve been having. Shana was behind getting the treatments moved forward. Of course she isn’t the only one on my case.? My Betty continues to be? my ‘constant nurse.’ I can hardly move a muscle without her? taking charge. Boy, a fellow could get use to that. And my boys are on top of things, making sure daddy is doing well.

The peace of God remains in place on the holy hill. Nathan’s ministry was simply awesome.? He taught on “Which ‘Then’ Are You In.”? Using Psalm 107 for his background, Nathan spoke about? the four types of situations that God’s people need deliverances from: (1) Wilderness. (2) Captivity. (3) Foolishness. (4) Storms of Life.

This brings me to a major change taking place at Christian Challenge. It has been in the works for a while.? I shared with our Board of Counselors Sunday afternoon that Nathan will be? taking the helm of leadership for the ministry. There is such a spirit of consensus and cooperation in place. ? It simply brings us back to what Paul meant concerning the peace that surpasses all comprehension. It is wonderful to know when one is in the center of God’s will.

To explain things a bit better, here is a letter being sent out to our church members and other friends:?

Hi Family,

I trust this letter finds you well. I want to share with you something I shared with the Christian Challenge Board of Counselors this past Sunday, and to invite you to a very special service this coming Sunday, December 17, 2006.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” This past Sunday I shared with our Board of Counselors that I felt it was time for Nathan to “take the helm” of the ministry of Christian Challenge. I believe the timing for this decision is from the Lord.

While my battle with NHL has certainly contributed to this decision, it is not the only reason for the decision. I do not want the ministry of CCI to be in a “holding pattern” but to launch out into the deep of God’s continued faithfulness. And I believe the Lord would have Nathan “at the helm’ of this continued journey.

Nathan was licensed to the ministry at the age of sixteen. He went to the mission field at the age of 21 and after serving in southern Mexico for 4 years he returned in November 1990 to assist me in pasturing Christian Challenge. For the past 16 years he has served faithfully with me, demonstrating himself to be a capable leader with a pastor’s heart. In June of 2004 we installed him as pastor, recognizing the transition that would eventually take place from my leadership to his.

That time has come. And it is just as Solomon wrote in Ecc. 3:11, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.” It is a beautiful thing to see Nathan step forward and assume the leadership roles that we have been thrust upon him. He has many giftings, some of which we’re just beginning to see. I believe he will lead Christian Challenge to even greater accomplishments for the kingdom.

As for me I am excited about this new chapter in my life. I believe the Lord is releasing me to begin writing - putting on paper some of the life principles he has shared with me through the years. I also look forward to traveling with my precious wife Betty as the Lord allows. I will still serve on the pastoral staff as “Founding Pastor” But Nathan will serve as Lead/Senior Pastor. In addition I will continue to do personal mentoring as the need arises.

I want to invite you to a special service this Sunday as we lay hands on Nathan to confirm his leadership. I will be “passing the mantle” (staff of leadership) so to speak. I will also ask the congregation to publicly affirm his pastoral role. This will be a special service in the life of Christian Challenge and I hope you will make every effort to be there.

Until then I remain,

Your servant in Christ,

Lawrence (Buddy) Martin - Founding Pastor CCI