The Letter
Here is the letter I tried to share with our congregation yesterday. This was probably one of the hardest letters I have ever written.
My entire life and ministry have been about God’s call on my life
At 13 years old God called me out of darkness and into the light of his kingdom through his Son. At 20 years old, God called me into ministry.
Then God did something strange. Sixteen years ago God called me from cosmopolitan Chicago to a very different place called Grand Rapids, Michigan to serve at New Hope Baptist Church, alongside the late Donnell Smith.
Then God did something even stranger; he called me from a predominantly black church to serve at Calvary (a predominantly white church), alongside Ed Dobson. I believe that call set the tone in my life for helping to break down the racial and cultural barriers that had exist in churches today. My entire life has been about God calling me and me responding to that call.
Seven years ago, God called me to two men, Artie Lindsay and Kizombo Kalumbula, to plant a disciple-making church that looked like heaven. When I look around this morning, we see a church that, seven years ago, was just an idea. God made a crazy idea reality. In serving a Tabernacle, I have realized another call on my life – a calling as a bridge – a walkway between various cultures.
My entire life and ministry has been about God’s call on my life.
Several months ago, elders from Trinity Church, in Lansing, Michigan approached me to see if I would consider praying about serving as their next Senior Teaching Pastor (I did not initiate the conversations, send out resumes, and neither was I looking for new assignments. I believe God opened this door). So, Tonia and I began praying about it, and with our elders’ knowledge and blessing, we agreed to enter and go through the process to see if God was leading us to join him in Lansing, Michigan. After going through a lengthy process and interview, on Tuesday, November 17th, the elders of Trinity Church agreed to recommend me to their congregation as the candidate for their next Senior Teaching Pastor. My family and I sense God calling and leading in our lives, and we want to remain open to his leading and direction.
Because we love you and desire to honor you, we are asking you to pray with us, as we remain open to God’s will for our lives. Here are some dates that we invite to pray for us.
On December 12th and 13th, the Trinity congregation will vote whether to call me as their next senior teaching pastor.
Thank you for your prayers and support during this time in our lives.
What are your reactions to the letter? To what do you think God is calling you? How open are to his call on your life?
Popularity: 23% [?]
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
praying for you bro. you are a true inspiration to me.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Marvin, you obviously love the people to whom God has called you to serve at Tabernacle. And I can understand how hard it must be to consider "leaving" them. (Though I don't believe we every truly leave brothers and sisters in Christ!)
But you have seen God's faithfulness as you have followed His call.
And you know He doesn't change.
If God confirms your call to Trinity (and by the response I saw yesterday, it sure seems like this is where He wants you!) you can be assured we will all be praying for our brothers and sisters at Tabernacle. God will take care of them. Because He is faithful.
And He never changes!
May the peace of Christ rest upon you today.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
First, keep walking in His Steps. As a friend and a long time partner in ministry, I am excited to see what God is going to do with you and your family.
Second, although the location may change, the mission is still the same. We will continue to pray for continual guidance as we enter this season of focused prayer
Third, God is calling me to continue to be His healing agent to the hurting in this world as well as to help enhance and develop human strengthens.
TCC is one of the avenues this takes place. Blessings!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Marvin,
If I were a member of your current congrgation, I would be appreciative of your sincerity and honesty. Although God is clearly moving you into another dimension of ministry, it is without a doubt a time for prayer to receive confirmation from God. I will be praying with you and Tonia as you enjoy the changes and greatness that God is doing in your life.
God Bless,
Gena
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Marvin, you've been an encouragement to me via this blog and I hope that you will continue with your posts wherever God leads you. I know I personally need to listen and let God lead me vs me telling Him where I think I should go & then being frustrated when the contentment doesn't flow with my own plan . . . …may God bless you & your family this Thanksgiving and give you peace and direction.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Thanks for the support and the prayers. Please keep us lifted up and we transition to a new assignment. Especially pray for my kids as the will have to make some big adjustments – school, church, making new friends, etc. I am glad to hear that my blog has been an encouragement to you. I will continue to post wherever I am. Again, thanks for the encouragement. Keep listening to his voice, and once you sense his leading, obey immediately. Blessings!
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Girl, you bout to make me shout over here. Tabernacle is a great church. The people have done nothing but support us (the pastors) and the mission and vision God gave us over 11 years ago. They will continue to do so and thrive. We have tried our best to live honestly and transparently before the people. Whereas it may have been a surprise to some, I believe they appreciated our openness and honesty in sharing the news. We will have prayer and Q&A on Tuesday evening. Thanks for the encouragement you all have been to me. God is raising up both our families to new heights. It’s exciting isn’t it? I am trusting God for his plan for your lives as well. Again, thanks for the encouragement.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Wow!
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I'm an inspiration to you? You have inspired me more than you know. The way you love your family, your work, and God, is an inspiration to all of us. I am looking forward to reading your book once it comes out.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I was visiting my son & family this last week and always attend TCC to worship with them. I will be praying for you and God's will in your life. My husband & I have been called to a new church just this first Sunday of November. Having pastored church in Wyoming, Virginia, & Texas as pastor, the last 5 years has been at a predominately AfricanAmerican congregation in Richardson. We have been so blessed…it was so very hard to humanly leave the love & fellowship we had at FBC Hamilton Park in Richardson & the ministry to serve our Pastor Greg Foster, but God opens & shuts door that we just can't image at times would happen. Now after 15 years being out of fulltime ministry, God has directed in a very mighty way to allow my husband, Paul Carter, to pastor again. Our prayers & petitions will go you and your family in this crossroad time. Let God…
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I pray that God would guide your steps. Thanks for being an example of integrity and faithfulness. You are a blessing.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Pastor Marvin, what an amazing testimony of being open to God's leading. I don't know the circumstances, but am trusting that regardless of the outcome, this will confirm in you your spirit of faithful obedience and growth. I'm praying with you and for you my friend.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
As sad as I am for Tabernacle – we are dancing with joy for you and your family to come to Lansing. We have been praying for you for months and how God would lead. (Several months ago I felt led to ask you, "When are you going to throw your hat in the ring for paster?" I was not completely sure it was my desire or from the Spirit – I said, "God, if you want me to say something, help our paths to cross." When we walked to our vehicle, you were parked face to face with us. I asked the question and you just smiled. We told you we were praying.) We will pray for Tabernacle durnig this time and praise God for blessing us! Tia
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Tia, thanks for your encouragement. It means a lot. God is using TCC in a great way, and I believe he will continue to do so. I can't wait to see what God does in both places. Thanks for listening to God's voice. Blessings!
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Dave, thanks. You have been a great source of support and encouragement since I met you. I appreciate your prayers and support today and through this transition more than you know. Bless you, friend.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
DTurn, thanks for your heart, your support and encouragement. You have been an inspiration to me. Keep us lifted up over these next several weeks. I will have more to share with you the next time we talk. Blessings on you and your family!
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Wow! Linda, that is great. So exciting! I will be praying for you as you are about to make a transition in your lives. I love when God messes up our plans for his different and exciting plan. It doesn't feel good at first, but we ultimately see how it works out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. Question for you: where were you all sitting yesterday?
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Yeah, wow is right. We sense God at work through this process, and we desire to remain open to his will. Keep us lifted up in prayer. Hope you're settling in your new digs. Bless you, bro. Love you and your family.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Karen, that means so much to me and us. Your words about God's faithfulness gives me a great deal of peace. Thanks for the encouragement. We will keep trusting God and listening to his voice. Blessings!
November 24th, 2009 at 4:07 am
Lansing Trinity's prayers are certainly being listened to. I attend Trinity and was in the congregation when your name and "highlight" reel came on the big screens. I became very thrilled that you were the leading candidate. I had made mention on two different occasions to two separate individuals that it would be nice to get someone of your caliber as Trinity's new lead Pastor. I had no idea that you were even being considered. I truly felt blessed to be in the congregation on both occasions, during your "Live like you were dying sermon", and yesterdays news. I still smirk at your Tim Mcgraw, the great "theologian" comment. I have joined in the prayers for you and your family.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Bless you man of God! We'll be praying with you and your family as you seek the Lord! God is Sovereign and absolutely in control…He'll lead you in the right path as you seek Him as He promised! Prov 3:5, 6
November 24th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Marvin, I remember you from New Hope. I remember when you were teaching new member's classes. You were so intense about teaching and spreading God's Word. Your teachings brought new meanings to me about the Bible and Jesus' role in my life. I know you had some hard times at New Hope, as well. You weathered them beautifully. When you left, my heart wept and I could barely recite the poem that our class had written for you. But, I have followed your Walk with God and believe that you are meant for greatness and furtherence in spreading God's Word everywhere. You have continued to be an inspiration to me whenever you have come to New Hope to preach. Follow wherever God takes you. God Bless you and continue in your path with God.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Pastor Marvin I have enjoyed your sermons here at Trinity and have been touched by God's words through you. We truly are blessed to have you coming to Trinity Church. I will pray for you and your family.
Mike Garcia
November 24th, 2009 at 11:16 am
You've entitled your post, "Dance". Dancing without music is not as easy as it is with music. I know in my brain that God is our music at TCC and our soul. But this will be hard…
November 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Alan, Liz & I were about 5 rows from the back on the outside wall…remember they have 3month old Isla that they have to go in and out with…oh, did the chicken leftovers get "eaten up"…great illustration.
Will you be senior pastor of Trinity? Or is there a multiple preaching staff? God bless you.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I think I remember seeing you all. I will be the Senior Teaching Pastor (There is a Lead/Organizational Pastor, who leads the staff). Trinity has a fairly large staff and I will be leading the teaching team along with mentoring some staff.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Marvin, What a blessing you are in the body of Christ. I will pray for God's will in your and your family's life. It seems clear to me, but I will pray. You are always obedient to God and his calling, so I know His blessing will be upon you and the family.
Love you dearly
December 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
The first time I heard you preach was at Trinity and I said to my wife I feel God will lead him hear on a permanant basis. My wife and I have been praying for you and your family. We are looking forward to your teaching style and for your openness to hearing and letting God lead you. God Bless. MIke
December 5th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Mike, thanks for the encouraging words. It's funny how God works and navigate the vessels of our lives. I am excited about what God is up to in my life and how i will fit into the culture of Trinity, if the congregational vote is affirmative. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue you to pray for us as we listen to God's voice in this potential call. Blessings on you, my brother! I look forward to getting to know you and your family. BTW, thanks for visiting my blog.
December 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I'm in education, not the ministry, but I knew what that calling feels like. That's how I'm in grad school now.
But I can't hear the Lord clearly anymore. That is why I am doing what I spoke to you about concerning fasting and prayer, to cleanse myself of this earthly weight–the filth that you spoke about when you came and preached at Trinity once, actually using dirt to soil your clothes–so that I will be able to hear Him again and obey.
I will be in attendance @ Trinity tonight. Jacquelyn and I have been going there for three years, did the 101 class or whatever it is called, but never bothered to turn in a membership form even though we're active "attendees." So we can't vote, but like I said before when we spoke, it appears the time is right.
When I saw you preach for the first time at Trinity, I did a double-take. Now I realize that God is moving mountains. I pray that I'll be a part of that, somehow, even though my time in E. Lansing appears to be running out.