Dustin was Called to be a PASTOR! We're Moving!!!!

Wow! What started in Charleston, SC as a call to pack up our belonging, leave great jobs, and move to North Carolina to get our Master's in Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has transformed into something so much greater than we could have ever imagined. We thought we were coming to SEBTS to do a para-church ministry for marriage and family, like Family Life (which we loved in Charleston and had incredible leaders who are serving now full time with Family Life)! During our time in seminary, the Lord began shaping our hearts to fall more and more in love with the Church, the Bride of Christ! (A Thought: If you don't love the Bride of Christ, who He loves most...do you really love Christ?) After Dustin and I worked with a para-church addictions ministry, it became clear to us that although these ministries are useful to the church, God was directing us to do counseling and ministry within the church. Dustin switched his major from Biblical Counseling to Christian Ministries so he could pursue preaching and pastorate classes. Dustin answered the call to be a pastor while completing an internship with our church, North Wake. 

In our many travels from Charleston to Wake Forest "planning" the next step in our future, Dustin would say, "I definitely am called to full time ministry, but I really don't think I'll be a pastor!" HA! Well, I sure never thought I'd be a pastor's wife either...but WOW are we amazed at what God is doing and excited! As a wife who is shepherded by her husband in the tenderest and most compassionate way possible, I can wholeheartedly say, THIS  MAN is going to be the best shepherd of his flock! Dustin, you are going to make an incredible pastor!

So...I'm sure you're wanting to know where and when this transition will happen!!

Dustin was called to Central Baptist Church in Henderson, NC as the Discipleship Pastor! We thought we would stay in the area a couple more years to re-focus and wait for a recommendation to come from a professor or pastor friend before we moved!...But God, had other plans! The week of graduation Dustin got a call from our best friends' pastor, Jeremy Evans (also Dustin's seminary professor), who wanted to recommend Dustin for a pastorate position. Dustin met with the Lead Pastor, Randy Mann the Monday before graduation and they hit it off. Little did we know (until we met the deacons and their wives a few weeks later) that Randy had been searching for a Discipleship Pastor for a little while and interviewed some other men. He had gone to visit an old professor friend at the seminary, randomly asking if he knew any good pastor candidates...Jeremy "happened" to be in his office that day and overheard the conversation. He recommended Dustin. After a few whirlwind weeks of meeting church leadership and falling in love very quickly...we knew Central was our new home. Randy and his wife, Melanie (and their amazing three kiddos) are incredible. And the worship/youth pastor Allen and his wife, Erica (and their precious son and baby girl on the way!)...and absolutely wonderful! We felt like old friends the first time we met! 

So, we are in a bit of a tailspin trying to get our house on the market, buy a new house in Henderson, and restructure our whole lives!! haha Dustin begins at Central on July 13th! We are amazed at the perfect plans of the Lord...while we thought nothing was happening, He was busy at work to see His kingdom grow! Lord, may we be excellent leaders in your beloved church and grow to love you even more!

Here is Central Baptist Church!!!

We will be moving to Henderson, NC which is about 45 minutes north of where we currently are living. Here are a few picture of where we'll be moving by Kerr Lake. The house is about to be officially under contract today (not ours yet...but we're pretty confident this is our home).

We will be ten minutes from the church and about 5 minutes from Kerr Lake which means...church family, family, and friends...party at our house! You are welcome anytime you need a getaway!

We can put our kayaks in just a few minutes away!

Our (hopeful) house has 500 acres of Army Corp land behind it that backs up to the lake about 10-15 acres back from the house.

The Kerr Lake Dam

Thank you all for your prayers about the next steps the Lord would take us! We are in awe of seeing His plan unfold. Honestly, Dustin is overwhelmed and humbled that the Lord would bless him by calling him to be a pastor! I am just as amazed with being a pastor's wife! And, this amazing church has blessed us in such a way financially that will allow me to eventually stay home with kiddos, work alongside Dustin at the church (hopefully in women's ministry, counseling, and with teens!), write (more books) and speak/teach at churches however the Lord may use me!

Please pray for us as many pieces need to "fall into place" for us to get settled in our new home/location! And pray, more than any moving detail that Dustin and I would humbly lead this amazing body of believers, along with the other incredible pastors and wives! 

AMEN!