Hi everyone,
Well it's July already! How time rushes past these days. We would all be wise to make sure we are spending it doing the things that really matter in life; fostering intimacy with our God (with whom we will spend eternity), deepening and strengthening relationships with treasured family and friends and in all of our other exploits, fashioning them for "Kingdom purpose".
It is with sadness mixed with the joy that we inform you all of our plans to hand over the leadership of Lakes City Church in response to the unmistakable prompting of God in our lives.
Not since birthing this church ten years ago have we felt such strong and clear guidance from God. We believed that Lakes City Church was forever, but were always yielded to God's plans above our own. When He began to speak to us earlier this year, we were naturally grieved at the prospect of leaving both our natural family and our church family who have all stood by us faithfully year after year as we endeavoured to fulfil the call of God for this church. Now, a little further down the track, we are full of anticipation for what God is going to do in this next season in the life of our church. He has promised "new wine" to accompany the "new wineskin" and we could not wish for anything greater than a new move of God for those that we love and for the many people yet to find Jesus in this spiritual "House".
As a leadership, along with our elders and board members, we sought God in regard to our replacement. Once again, we felt God clearly direct us to Pastor Mark Varughese who served on the leadership team at this church for five years and has remained in an eldership role since moving to Malaysia to pastor a thriving church in KL. Mark is married to Jemima and they are expecting their first child in January. Their return to this "house" has definitely added joy to balance the sadness of our leaving. We know that they are God's chosen leaders for this next season and look forward to seeing the promises of God for Lakes City Church fulfilled through their lives.
We officially finish this season of our lives on the 31st of August 2008. It will be a day of celebration but very mixed emotion for us both. In the end, the "Kingdom" is big and God will shuffle his leaders wherever He pleases for maximum impact. The very best position for all of us is in the centre of His regardless of how we feel in the natural.
To our devoted and faithful staff, we owe a debt of gratitude. You are more like family than staff and family relationships are forever. To our church family, we thank you for the privilege of allowing us to lead you for ten years through the wonderful and difficult times. Your faith in God and incredible willingness to trust Him in releasing us and embracing Pastors Mark and Jemima is inspirational. You have positioned yourself for a new measure of God's favour in every area of your lives and made it so much easier for us to let go with your loving support. To our ministry friends around the world, we are indebted to you for helping us walk through this season and into the next. We look forward to deepening our friendships and walking alongside you in a new ministry capacity.
Above all, we thank God for choosing us to serve Him. He has remained faithful through it all and has brought clear direction when it has been needed. We have complete trust in His guidance.
Best wishes for your future. We love you.
Pastors Neil and Leonie Smith
Lakes City Church
