Pastor Appreciation Month is a time to celebrate the faithful leaders who invest in their churches and communities, often without knowing what fruit their years of service will produce.
But what happens when a pastor chooses to stay, even through difficult seasons, and generously makes room for others to lead?
Pastor Rob Paterson’s story reminds us that some of the most beautiful ministry moments are years in the making.
After more than fifteen years of serving New Hope Community Church, in the small community of Loudonville Ohio, Pastor Rob Paterson has been reflecting on why this year’s Baptism Celebration (on Sunday August 30) had the largest attendance and the most people going public with their faith through the waters of baptism, than any other year under his tenure.
Two contributing factors, beyond the incredible faithfulness of God, have been longevity and generosity. There is something powerful that God does when we are consistent in the same place for a long time. Pastor Rob said, “Being part of this, I am so glad that I did not allow difficult moments along the way to cause me to accept other offers. I am thankful to be experiencing the fruitfulness of faithfulness over time.”
New Hope is also in a season where they hired a church planter in residence this summer. Rob insists that when things become less about us and more about others and God, potential increases significantly. “With the help and connections that have come as part of the Converge MidAtlantic family, this new residency program we launched has increased my behind-the-scenes work, and decreased my time front-and-center.” Rob is convinced that being open-handed with what we have and know, pouring into others, and giving them our biggest and best opportunities, is activity that God blesses disproportionately.
“If this was all about me, I am sure that I would have missed out on the blessing of seeing more than 400 people cramming the shores at Sunset Springs Camp to watch those 41 people declare their love for Jesus through baptism!”