On July 8th, 2020 / by Glen Elliott
I did a blog on May 27th called “Changes.” Well, more changes have been happening since then. That is the season we live in. So much has happened just in the last month. I’m back from my vacation I take during the month of June. It was more disrupted than usual (as has been the […]
Continue Reading Subscribe to BlogOn July 8th, 2020 / by Glen Elliott | Subscribe
I did a blog on May 27th called “Changes.” Well, more changes have been happening since then. That is the season we live in. So much has happened just in the last month. I’m back from my vacation I take during the month of June. It was more disrupted than usual (as has been the case for everyone), but I did get ten days on the lake with seven different families, including my own.
This is not new information, but it is now a reality: This Friday is our Shelly Vasey’s last day as our Kid’s Pastor. It was supposed to be on the last day of the Crazy Daze kids event, but that too had to be canceled. I’m still grieving over losing her. She’s been more than amazing with our kids and volunteers. She will be missed. We are actively looking for her replacement now.
Sunday was Nick Farr’s final day serving at Pantano. Recently both Nick and Pantano have come to a realization that we are moving in different ministry directions, so we released him. No party is “bad” or wrong in this. And to be clear, there was nothing Nick did that was immoral and there are no hidden reasons for this decision. Sometimes, terrific people and churches move apart. God will continue to use Nick to make a difference.
Nick has done an amazing job at Pantano. He came to Pantano 7 years ago to be our Youth Pastor. Then, he oversaw communications. And finally, he served as our first Online Pastor. Nick is cutting edge when it comes to digital technology and he’s helped place us in a great position to offer quality online services. His work will endure at a time when online connection is so vital. There’s so much more he’s done, including serving on our teaching team, and I’m so grateful for him and will greatly miss him. Please pray for Nick and his family. We all want the very best for them in their next chapter of service.
A couple of weeks ago we had to discontinue physical services again. That was another change. It seems this COVID-19 season will stretch out longer than any of us thought. So the Executive Team is meeting this week to identify how we’ll be the most effective church we can be in light of this new world we live in. We’ll be putting together some plans that will guide our church to continue our mission and reach the people we need to reach. This clarity will allow us to re-allocate our resources and staff to accomplish our passion to reach people not connected to God or a church while discipling those who know Jesus to become more like him. We’ll look for new and creative ways to stay connected, get the training we need, and have an active part in impacting our city. God is present in the midst of all these changes and will guide us to be an even better representation of Jesus in our world. Please pray for your leaders and staff in these changing and challenging times. Above all, we want to follow Jesus wherever he leads.
Glen Elliott
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On May 25th, 2022 / by Glen Elliott
All languages have several ways to say “Bye!” “Goodbye” seems rather final. “So long” implies a lengthy separation. “God’s speed” is rarely used anymore, but it suggests danger and the real possibility that one won’t make it back. Then there is “See you later.” But that still implies a period of separation. So what word […]
Last updated 1 year ago
On May 18th, 2022 / by Glen Elliott
I want to thank you all for the kind words and ways you honored Jolene and me on Sunday during Pantano’s 60th anniversary. We are so grateful to be a part of a church that has loved us so well. We are blessed! Sunday I announced that I’ll be ending my active time on our […]
Last updated 1 year ago
On May 11th, 2022 / by Glen Elliott
In January of 1962, Pantano Christian Church had her first public meeting held in a home on 31st Street. There were 32 people present that Sunday for its beginning. Today, after 60 years, several building projects, and eight Lead Pastors, we have grown to average over 3100 people. We’ve started three thriving congregations in southern […]
Last updated 1 year ago
On April 27th, 2022 / by Glen Elliott
Sunday I preached on one of my most cherished and helpful passages of scripture – Matthew 11:28-30. I felt so inadequate to teach the power and depth of this passage. I’ve come to see it as Jesus’ great invitation. Here’s the passage: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will […]
Last updated 1 year ago
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