The journey

[North Worship Department]

When I answered God's call to salvation and to ministry 14 years ago,
I could never have known all the places that this journey would take
me and my family. It is a journey that has required my mind, heart,
and soul. It is the journey of and for my life. I firmly believe
that it is God that orders my steps along the way and that I must
faithfully place my feet in stride with His map. As I do that, I take
my peace from my faith in His promises.

As we walk upon a mortal globe, this journey is certainly bitter-
sweet. For a season, we must endure both trials and successes. For a
season, we must endure both welcomes and brief good byes. But through
it all, as His servant, I know that the ultimate goal is ahead of me
and I know that it is only sweet and that it is only successes, and
that it is only an on-going welcome. Therefore, I press towards it
with enduring faith and compelling hope.

My journey began in Bolivia, NC. After 18 years, it took a turn
towards the mountains of Boone, NC. It was there that I found my
wife and God's invitation to be born again and to serve His Kingdom.
After that, He led me to Huntersville, NC and from there, I found
myself here at the North Campus of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. 7 of
the 14 years have passed here in this place and God has used this
season to prepare me and to prepare you for the next season of all our
journeys along His path towards home.

God has now ordered my steps to Monroe, NC, to join His work at
Lee Park Baptist church. It is here that I will continue the ministry
of building worship leaders and teams that will impact the local
community and world for the cause of Christ. My mission there will be
the same as it was here and prior..."to plan, prepare, and present
excellent worship experiences that are doctrinally sound, culturally
relevant, possessive of intention, and result in an active response
from people to Christ." I covet your prayers as Lee Park's
ministering artists join me in this purpose. A great work has already
begun at Lee Park Baptist and I am honored to have been called to be a
part of it. A great work continues at Hickory Grove Baptist Church
and I am as honored to have been called to be a part of it, as well.
God is so good and I am humbled by His invitations of grace and love.

This is now the fourth time I've served a congregation for a
season and then been called away to another. It has never been easy
because there is no easy good-bye when you're leaving a place and a
people that you love and enjoy. Thinking back, when I was a child I
can still remember the sadness that would pervade my spirit when I had
to say goodbye to Grandma and Granddaddy after a lovely visit. There
was simply nothing about leaving them that enticed me to look towards
the new destination of home.

Though the emotions of this parting are very similar, I know that
the leaving and going is quite different. The song "Believe" (that we
presented during WAYC?) aptly states, "Destinations are where we begin
again." Each of us are traveling towards the same destination. Each
of our journeys are going to lead us to our excellent and perfect
Savior, Jesus Christ because of His finalizing work on the cross.
Though our paths are diverging from this point, our destination is the
same and from there, praise God, we not only begin again, we begin
anew.

Vince, Ellis, Liam, and I love you. Thank you for allowing us to
serve the Master with you at Hickory Grove Baptist North Campus. It
has been an excellent season of "Knowing Him and Making Him Known"
with you. You have taught each of us and have invested in our lives
in ways that we will never forget. I have no doubt that the work here
will continue and will be taken to greater levels.

My final service at HGBC-North is scheduled for Sunday, February 1
and my final day in the office will be Thursday, February 5. A small
reception has been planned for Wednesday, February 4. I would love to
see you or hear from you over the next few days. We accomplished
quite a bit together over the last seven years and it was due to your
dedication and commitment to Christ. You invested yourself and God
anointed the efforts.

I ask for your continued prayers as I begin to minister in a new
location through a new season. You will remain in my thoughts and
prayers just as the beautiful congregations of Howard's Creek Baptist
and Christ Community Church have over the years. I know that the
future Pastor of Worship Ministries at HGBC-North will be tremendously
blessed by the season of ministry he will share with you.

Your brother and co-laborer,
Rev. Jason Lanier
Pastor of Worship Ministries