
Original Thoughts:
August 7, 2023
It is hard for us to believe that six weeks have passed since the night we said farewell to Living Faith and New York. Change is always difficult. But, moving away from our home of nineteen years to a new life in a new state has been change on a whole different level. For that reason, we needed time to formulate our thoughts.
Before speaking about our future, I do want to share how amazing it was to read about so many being baptized at Living Faith. I am sure it was an incredible experience no one will forget. I am very happy to see things moving forward in such a great way. Praise God for what he has done and is doing!
Donna and I both want to thank all of you who took time to write notes to us. They were put together into a beautiful book we received about a week ago. It was overwhelming to see not only how many wrote, but also what you shared. Those words meant more than you could know. We read them all with great interest.
Speaking of interest, when we announced our website, we wondered if there was really any point in doing so. Since then, we have been shocked to see how many times it has been visited and at the number of people who have checked it out. By the way, it might surprise you to know a significant percentage of those visiting our site appear to not be part of Living Faith. Now, it’s time to share what we have decided.
Our Current Ministry Plans
What we share tonight are simply next steps. We believe as we take these, God will reveal the rest of our path in His time. But for now, this is what we are planning to do:
First, this fall I will be doing a series of live video sessions to encourage and train pastors. This is an amazing opportunity to speak into the life of pastors and churches and offer help to see them move forward for God’s Kingdom. Pray with me that God can use this to grow his Kingdom.
Second, this fall Donna and I will be working on some new materials. As many of you know, Donna created the Jump Start program at Living Faith. Now, she has asked me to work with her to develop it a little further. By God’s grace, we plan to make it available in a final form to anyone who can use it to reach people and grow disciples of Jesus Christ around the first of the year.
Jump Start is not the only thing we will be working on. Over the years I have had more remarks and questions about one message series than any other. Many have asked if I would put it in a book format. Now I plan to use my time to do so. For now, I will let you wonder until it is finished in the next few months.
Written and digital materials were one of the questions on the survey. Two others were about podcasts and livestreams. I am still considering a podcast or video podcast. However, I would not do so until after the first of the year. Again, it is a consideration rather than a commitment. If you want to know more check back on our site or subscribe for updates later this year.
Finally, the last update is of a personal nature. Many of you knew Donna worked in the New York State Supreme Court for over a decade. Also. she worked at our church in Florida because moving to New York. But, you may not realize she has had a number of businesses over the years. Now we are going to open a small retail store space in a larger market to offer her products and my photographs on canvas. We are really excited about this new possibility. The store opens in September.
Thank you again for taking the time to visit our site and keep up with us. Our time here with our children and grandchildren has been wonderful. That is a new life to us because we lived so far away until now. Just this week all our grandchildren were together in our home.
Pray for me as I work with the pastors and try to help churches. Also, that God would bless our efforts to produce a new Jump Start to now help believers in other places as well. Then, watch for more information about the book I hope to write over the next few months. If you want to know more about the podcast, check back to see if it will be offered after the first of the year.
If you want to know more just stay connected with our site. We will continue to send out blog updates to all who subscribe. If you have questions or thoughts, you can reach out to us as well.
May the Lord continue to bless you all. Thank you for being a blessing to us.
Pastor Ed & Donna Kirkland
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