News at Central Baptist

For about the past two years our church has been in search of a new Music Minister. Daniel has been on the search committee and it has been a very long and tedious process. I know that there were times when it seemed very bleak and like we would never find someone. They poured through many resumes and spent countless hours searching for the man that God would bring to us. But ultimately, God had to bring His man to us, not us seek him out. Back in August a young man by the name of Joe Horan came to speak to the college students here in Americus. He is the best friend of the BCM director here. While he was in town he came to our church to lead music at a special Monday night service. The staff and search committee were very impressed with him and began the process of pursuing him as a possible prospect for our church. During that time we waited on the Lord to work in Joe's heart and his wife, Sara's heart to sense the call to Americus. Sara is pregnant with their first child, so this is a huge step of faith for them to move with an infant. After several months, the search committee received word that Joe would consider the position. They and the staff kept communication up with him and it all led up to him coming this weekend in view of a call.

Joe and Sara arrived in Americus on Friday afternoon and the music ministry had a reception for them that evening. It was a time for us to get to know them and them to meet us. Afterwards we had a rehearsal for Sunday. I was immediately impressed with his talents and abilities as a musician and music leader. As the rehearsal went on and he shared his heart I was also impressed with his passion for worship. He is very humble and seeks to point all to God and not to himself. He really gets the heart of worship. Even though he is very young (28) he has abilities and wisdom beyond his years. When he leads you really don't see his age. He also fits in really well with our current staff.

This morning Joe led in worship and gave his testimony. He directed the choir and the praise team joined him in leading worship. It was a very worshipful time. You could really sense the presence of the Lord there. After the service Joe and Sara were led out to the foyer and we took a vote. It was an overwhelming yes. I am so thankful that God so moved on the hearts of the people of Central Baptist. I had been praying that our congregation would so see Christ in Joe and would see his passion for worship that it would be obvious that he was to be our new Music Minister and that he was the man that God called for this position. I believe that my prayer was answered today and I am looking forward to Joe and Sara moving to Americus. I am excited about getting to know them better and serving with them. We are all very excited to finally have the man that God has called for Central Baptist. I am eager to see how God is going to work through Joe in our music ministry and in our church.