Years ago we were blessed with having the Chinese Church of Charleston as a part of our church family. They stared here at JIBC with John and Yi Ling Pittman. YiLing was discipling two Chinese women she had led to the Lord. The group grew from 2 to 6 then 12, then 18. We kept providing them room and resources. That eventually birthed into the Chinese Church of Charleston. They were with us for years, meeting in the Fellowship Hall each week. They cooked lunch for their group every Sunday. We had the best smelling church in all of Charleston! Then, by God’s grace, they outgrew our space. They were having 100 adults, plus their youth, children and preschoolers. So, we help them transition back to our Mother Church, Citadel Square Baptist. They had a small chapel that could seat 200 or so. No surprise that I wept the Sunday they left. One of the Chinese leaders saw my tears and said with compassion “Pastor Tom, we will only be just down the street from you”. He was right, but I still mourned the necessary and positive decision to “send them out” that they could continue growing and reaching the Chinese community.
So, Scott and Lori will begin their new church assignment on Sunday, March 5. I know the Woodhaven Baptist Church will be thrilled for them to begin so soon. My understanding is they have been without a pastor for almost a year and a half. Scott has finished all his work here at JIBC. His last Sunday will be this Sunday, February 26. Three years has zoomed by and the next few days will be even quicker. If you happen to miss speaking to Scott this Sunday, remember the comforting words of my Chinese friends…”they are just down the road”. Ok, a long road, but just down the road none the less.
James Island Baptist Church is a healthy church. It is very unusual in a lot of ways. We have, no doubt, been blessed by Scott’s ministry here at JIBC. From a Pastor’s perspective, Scott has been abundantly blessed by JIBC. There is no doubt in my mind that he has never worked for a church like JIBC. He has had the opportunity to learn a plethora of things from you all. I hope, in the culture of Woodhaven Baptist, he can duplicate the things he saw and learned from you all: deep fellowship, accepting broken people, generous giving, love of people, willingness to risk for the Kingdom, etc.
When we miss someone, I think it is a craving for heaven…where we will never miss anyone again. Until that time, remember, “We are just down the road”.
Pastor Tom
PS. Back in October when we discovered Scott was looking for a Senior Pastor position, we began looking for a new Associate Pastor. We have received dozens of resumes and have talked with 5 that we have liked and are now talking with three that we think are really good prospects for us. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek for the right person to join our JIBC Church family.
