I often say that I was the last to know that the Lord was sending me to Jacksonville. On my first visit, I was assured that I was only filling the pulpit as a guest speaker. On my second visit, I felt I was on assignment to preach a message to the Shiloh Church and never see them again. On my third visit, after the church had called me to be its new pastor, I came to tell the church why I was not coming. The Lord had other plans. 

I had spent my life in one city and one church. It was all I knew. We did not know a soul in Jacksonville. Yet the Lord gave us a new spiritual family in the saints of Shiloh. The church received my family and my ministry with open arms that have remained open with love. 

When I arrived, the church’s slogan or motto was “The Oasis of Love.” I read those words on the wall with skepticism. But the warm warmth and welcome of the congregation proved my suspicions unfounded. For a large church, Shiloh was and is one big family characterized by faith in Christ and love for one another. 

In the opening days of my ministry here, family and friends often asked how it was going and what it was like. My answer always included the fact that Shiloh is a church where preaching is in season (2 Timothy 4:2). That is not a divine favor to be taken lightly. 

In many congregations, the authoritative word of God is subjected to human opinion, worldly reasonings, and philosophical speculation – “winds of teaching” (Ephesians 4:14) that blow saints and churches off course and away from the north-start of biblical truth. In 2008, I was blessed to come to serve a church that had an unwavering commitment to sound doctrine. That fidelity of doctrine has not changed. My prayer is that this church would keep its doors open with a faithful witness to the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ until the Lord comes again! 

Over these sixteen years, I have poured out my life here. I hope and trust the Shiloh Church has been equipped and encouraged by my devotion to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). However, whatever blessing I have been to this church is nothing compared to the blessings the Shiloh saints have been to me. Your devotion to Christ, steadfastness in prayer, openness to the truth, willingness to follow leadership, and partnership in the gospel have enabled me to serve this church with joy and not groaning (Hebrews 13:17). 

I do not look back wearing rose-colored glasses. My tenure here has not been without its trials, setbacks, and challenges. Yet, through it all, I rejoice in the faithfulness of God and the perseverance of the saints. Through ups and downs, you have remained steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

On this milestone of sixteen years as pastor and people, there is a lot that could and should be said. What keeps rising from my heart and flowing from my lips is “Thank you.” I am unspeakably grateful for the privilege of being the pastor of the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. It is one of the greatest blessings the Lord has bestowed on my life. I praise the Lord for the manifold and undeserved ways the Lord has smiled on our feeble gospel labors. We planted and watered, but the Lord gave the growth. The Lord of the harvest deserves the highest praise and full credit for the fruit that has come from this section of his vineyard. 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. – Psalm 115:1

As I give the Lord the grateful praise that is due his name, I am also thankful for and to the Shiloh Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park. Thank you for the privilege of serving you. Thank you for receiving the word as it is, the word of God, not the words of man. Thank you for every step of faith we have taken together as a church. It may be more accurate to call them adventures of faith! You have followed me, as I have followed Christ. May our dreams be greater than our memories! 

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 

Soli Deo Gloria!