UPDATE: We are moving to Union, SC!

Yes, Jena, Ada, and I will be moving to Union, South Carolina as I take on the role of Family Pastor at Mon-Aetna Baptist Church.

It has been quite the journey these past several years, as we have trusted God's leading, and been lead through some pretty intense transitions, but all the while...He has proven absolutely faithful, and looking back, His sovereign hand has been clearly seen in each turn.





As some of you know, our lives were thrown for a loop with the loss of a job back in June of this past year (2019). Leaving the details of that event aside, Jena and I had nothing and no prospects on the table. That weekend was a very trying time, and we were left only with one another, and our dependence on God to guide and provide. And, at the end of the day, that is truly all we need.

While we were praying through options, I sent out several resumes to job opportunities, as well as sent my resume to several close friends of mine, brothers in Christ, that I have had the privilege of fostering friendships with over the years. All in all, I figured my resume was in front of hundreds of people, in several different industries. However, I had a burden land on my heart that I had not felt in a long time. Seeing how bleak our situation seemed, at least to our own perspective and limited view, I felt compelled to reconsider full time ministry again: something I had not been willing to consider in the last 6 years.

I brought this up to Jena, and we prayed about this, and everything else. We agreed that I would only send out resumes to churches whose position descriptions really jumped out at me. So...I sent out three resumes. Two of those churches responded within the week with a "Thank you, but no thank you," clearly showing us the closed door. Meanwhile...I heard nothing from the third church and assumed they were not interested.

God did provide, however. Despite my resume going out to so many people, and through so many channels, I was not getting any feedback (and still have not gotten feedback). God is good, though, and knows what we need even before we ask. The Tuesday after I lost my job (informed on Friday), I received a Facebook message from David Hardy, the owner of Honeybaked Ham in Wake Forest:

David:
"Hey Jessie! As I have been praying about finding the right person to be the General Manager of my store, God brought you to mind. Would you be interested in meeting with me to discuss this opportunity?" (Paraphrased from original message)
Jessie:
"Yes. Yes I would."

And lo, God provided means for Jena and I to keep the lights on, the water running, and Heat heating and the AC cooling. Our bills were being paid, and we were thankful!

I started at Honeybaked Ham as the General Manager on June 24th. Everything was going well, and I was getting into my new role. My first job was with Taco Bell when I was 16, I worked in my cousin's restaurant as a cook, and spent a year with Cracker Barrel in college in their retail department, so many of the things I learned at Honeybaked were familiar...just forgotten. Then...on July 24th, I received a phone call from the Pastor of Mon-Aetna.

Chris asked me if I was still interested in speaking with them about the position. I told him about what had transpired the past few months, but I was still unsure as to what God was doing ultimately, and was open to talk and pray with him, and the search committee. Two months later, I got a call from the Search Committee chair and the first virtual interview was scheduled. We met via video chat and spoke for about an hour. It seemed to go well, and I was told that if they wanted a second interview, they would let me know sometime next week. I ended that meeting thankful, but still unsure what God was doing. The committee chairman called me back in 45 minutes to schedule a second interview.

I was surprised by their quick turn around, but was curious. We had a second video conference two days later, and again, spoke for about an hour. Both meetings were great. Simple. Unassuming. I said a quick prayer before the first for God to help me just be real with them, not putting on airs, or trying to play the part of the would-be candidate. I'm thankful for that little prayer, because God absolutely helped me follow through. One of the committee members asked me what kind of programs or activities would I hope to implement if I were called to Mon-Aetna. Now, I absolutely could have stumbled my way through something, but I answered as honestly as I could: "Man, I have no idea." Which was the truth. Without knowing the people, without getting a sense of where they were in their walk with the Lord, an idea about the body of believers there as a whole, I had no idea what I would do. They seemed to appreciate that answer. :)

After that meeting, I got a call from the committee chairman who told me that they had decided to move forward with me, and only speak with me until they knew what God was going to do. I was floored. Though I was hesitant to grab this as the "AH HA! HERE is what God is doing! THIS is where He is leading" thing, I was beginning to wonder, "God...is this what You are doing?" Jena and I talked about it, and prayed about it, and neither of us were convinced just yet. I felt confident to continue moving forward, hoping for either a clear open door, or a clear closed one. This was the prayer of all involved, actually. Jena and I reached out to one of our Elders at our church, and met with he and his wife to talk and pray about it. We reached out to our Pastor and his wife to talk and pray about it. We spoke with our parents, who have been praying with us through this process. We continued forward, trusting God to make His way apparent. The face-to-face meeting was scheduled for November.

We had a great trip to SC. Ada loved the hotel room with the king size bed. We enjoyed getting to meet the search committee in person, as well as talk with them more in-depth about us, the church, trusting God, and life in Union should He call us there. We enjoyed a tour of the church, the town, and lunch with the committee, as well as dinner with the Pastor and his wife that Saturday evening. Sunday morning, we sat in as "guests" to their worship service, and I was happy to find a lively, engaged body of believers who sang, raised their hands in worship, and even let out some "Amen!"s throughout the sermon. It was a wonderful time of worship. Even Ada went forward to be with kids during the Children's message...and she got a Kit-Kat.

The search committee extended the offer to us that weekend to present us to the church as their selected candidate for the role of Family Pastor. Jena and I intentionally took our time praying through this. It was not an easy time. We wanted to be where God wanted us, but at the same time, to go would mean major changes for both of us. Me leaving the provision of Honeybaked. Jena moving from the nearness of her family. Ada transferring schools. A new house. A new state. A new life! It was a lot to consider. As we prayed...we both continued to trust God to make His way clear, and we took the step forward by accepting the offer. So, another visit was to be planned. A weekend visit to meet the Deacons, youth and children leaders, families of the church, as well as me preaching that Sunday morning. The weekend was scheduled for January 26th.

The weekend went very well. We met with everyone. All of the meetings were great. The people were humble, gracious, and loved the Lord. It was evident in their love for one another, and the warm welcome that had been extended to us throughout this entire process. Sharing with them about how God had lead these past 6 years was emotional, but at the same time so blessed to recount God's goodness and give Him fully glory for how He loved and provided in very difficult times in my and Jena's marriage. That Sunday morning, I preached from Psalm 73: a chapter in the Bible that has been a go-to for me for years, not simply to teach or preach, but for me to realign myself to get back to my first love: Jesus Christ Himself. Everything seemed to go well. After the service, we were taken to the office as they took and counted the vote. Yes...we found out that day whether or not God was opening or closing a door.

While waiting, Jena and I both cried together. Thankful for such an experience. A gentleman came forward to publicly profess his faith in Christ. What a blessing! The vote counted, the search committee came into the office to let us know that for the first time that they could recall at their church, I had been voted in with a unanimous "yes". 100%

Typing this out now, it is hard to express just how completely God's hand was shown through this process. We never saw more than the step that was right in front of us, but His presence was clearly seen. So here we are...the new Family Pastor of Mon-Aetna Baptist Church, and preparing to move to Union, SC. God has been faithful. And though it will be very difficult to leave our church of nearly 3 years, Poplar Spring Baptist Church in Bunn, as well as moving away from our home here in NC, and family, we are confident in God's guiding hand, and look forward to what He has in store during this new chapter in our lives.

We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we work through selling our house, looking for a place to live in Union, and getting ready to start serving at Mon-Aetna. Please pray as we transition: there will be moments of sadness and frustration, but also times of excitement and joy.



Through it all, may God get the glory as we trust Him, and continue moving forward in faith.