This letter is a formal thank-you for allowing me the privilege of serving you all these twenty-three years. We have cried together and we have rejoiced together. When I look back over the past twenty-three to see where God has brought us from, I remember that Wednesday evening in March of 1985 when some dedicated people wanted a Pastor who believed and trusted in God. With reluctance, I at first said, "No." But this is where the joy comes in. Although I originally said that I would stay with Berean for one year, I thank God that one year has tirned into twenty-four years. Stillgoing strong, with almost perfect dedication and commitment, God has wrought a perfect work through imperfect people.
I feel like the Apostle Paul when he said, "Woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel, for necessity was laid upon me and woe is me if I preach not the Gospel of Christ." But because of your dedication to the lord, even when I didn't feel like preaching, I found out like Nehemiah when he said, "The joy Of The Lord is my strength". And because of the strength of the Lord, He's given us the opportunity to share with him in kingdom building. Who would have thought that we would be the instrument that God would use to pioneer church building in the City of Minneapolis.
After all, that has happened, thank God for Proverbs 3:5-7, which told me: "Trust in the Lord with all my heart; and lean not to my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct my paths. For me not to be wise in my own eyes; but fear the Lord and depart from evil". And for me to teach you all the principles of Philippians 4:8-9 which tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you".
