Mickey Mallory – Denver, Colorado … The month of August brought not only a new school year for many of our students, but also a new pastor for a number of our churches in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Below are the new pastors that started during the summer or are in the process of starting:

  • Mollie Dupper – associate pastor at the Boulder Church
  • Logan Earles – associate pastor at the Littleton Church
  • Daniel Escalante – lead pastor at the Ft. Collins Church
  • Steve Hamilton – lead pastor at the Grand Junction Church
  • Rodlie Ortiz – lead pastor at the Campion Church
  • Josh Sholock – lead pastor at the Cañon City Church

As these pastors begin their ministry in their church(es), please join me in praying for:

  1. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit: For their family and ministry. Your prayers make possible the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which gives them power.
  2. Protection from the Enemy: If Satan had his way, he would like to destroy them. Your prayers give them protection from his attacks.
  3. Name Recognition: Learning a congregant’s name is very important. Please be sure to introduce yourself. Wearing a name tag can really help. Also, an updated pictorial directory can help them see names connected to pictures. Your prayers help them recall names quicker.

If you are member or attend one of the churches where there is a new pastor, I would like to encourage you to provide an “ongoing” welcome gift to these new pastors by doing the following:

  • The Gift of Welcome: Showing in a tangible way that you are glad they are there makes a huge impression on the pastor and their family. Some churches give a welcome basket or hold a potluck. Others do a “Get to Know You” Church Social.
  • The Gift of Presence: Your attendance at church or other church sponsored events communicates not only your support of the church but also of the pastor. It means a lot to the pastor to see their members often.
  • The Gift of Service: Helping a pastor and their family unpack their stuff or get oriented to their new church and community is a tremendous help. Asking “where can I help?” shows that you care.

The first year for a new pastor is typically called the honeymoon stage. Not in the sense that they can do no wrong, but in the sense that they are getting to know their congregation(s) and their congregation(s) are getting to know them. Why not make a point in this first year to get to know your pastor and their family? Invite them over to your home or plan to meet with them at the church, a park, or a restaurant.

Don’t forget! Great starts can lead to great wins for the pastor and their congregation(s).

—Mickey Mallory is RMC ministerial director. Photo by Unsplash.