Dear Friends,

It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as your pastor for the last three and half years. This is a wonderfully supportive congregation, and I think we’ve seen a lot of growth in the time I’ve been here. I know that I have certainly grown as a pastor, and I want to thank you all of you for the encouragement you’ve given me.

After much prayerful consideration, I have decided to submit applications for continued academic study in Biblical Studies. I intend to return to school for another master’s degree, followed immediately by a PhD in New Testament. I have submitted applications to Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I hope to hear something within the next few months.

This means that this will likely be my last year as your pastor. I have already informed our bishop, Robert Hoshibata, our district superintendent, Donna Pritchard, and the Staff Parish Relations Committee of my intention. In the coming weeks and months, they will work together to find the best possible pastoral leadership for this church. I trust that whoever is appointed, you will give them the same hospitality, support, and encouragement that you have given me.

I want you to know that this has not been an easy decision for me. I very much enjoy being your pastor, and there are still many ways that we could step out in faith together to make positive change. At the same time, I have felt God calling on my heart for quite some time to return to seminary and improve my biblical scholarship. After much deliberation and much prayer, I believe that now is the right time to answer that call.

I know that this church has a bright future ahead of it. In our itinerant system, pastors come and go, but the church and its mission remain. I have been amazed by the wonderful growth this church has made in the time I’ve been here, and I expect that growth to continue when you have a new pastor.

You and I still have several months together, and I don’t intend to waste them. For now, though, let me simply say Thank You. Thank you for your warmth and friendship. Thank you for your willingness to take risks and try new things. Thank you for supporting me in the areas where I am weak and nurturing me in the areas where I am strong. And thank you for holding me up in your prayers. I look forward to sharing the time we still have together as we continue to strive to be better disciples of Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Peace,

Pastor David