Dear Friends,

This past August I began my 36th year of pastoral ministry and my 11th year of ministry at Grace Baptist. Time truly does fly when you’re having fun! My time here at Grace has been and continues to be both a great joy and a challenge. I thank God for the support and encouragement I have received as your pastor and praise Him for all that we have accomplished together. It is truly a privilege to be the pastor of a growing and vibrant church family.

It can also be, at times, an exhausting enterprise. For this reason, last month I asked the Executive Committee to consider granting me a leave of absence in the form of a threeweek mini-sabbatical and they approved my request. This will not be an extended vacation but a deliberately planned time of renewal, refocusing and rest. While the details of my time away are still being worked out, let me share with you what I do know right now:

? I plan to begin my mini-sabbatical on April 17 (the day after Easter) and return on May 8.

? The preaching schedule during my absence will be as follows:

April 23 – Jordan Lichty

April 30 – Steve Hutchinson (Steve is a former pastor and Director of Admissions at Palmer Seminary. He is also the uncle of our own Barbara Longenberger.)

May 7 – Ken Maahs

? I am currently working on making sure that someone will be on call while I am away if there are any pastoral emergencies. Please contact the church office if you know of any special need.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend some time away from my responsibilities at Grace for renewal and rest. I believe that I will benefit greatly from this leave and I hope and pray that the church will benefit as well. I look forward to returning to my work with renewed energy and insight for the work God has called me to. I do believe that the best is yet to come as we continue to serve together here at Grace Baptist. Exciting days lie ahead!

In the meantime, I wish you all a very blessed Easter! I look forward to worshipping with you on that very blessed day.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Pastor George Hawthorne