A Letter from Pastor Mark to the CCC Church Family

Dear Church Family,

Hello and greetings from Pastor Mark and Carol! We are excited to begin our work with you as interim pastor starting April 1. We have prayed for you since we heard of this opportunity, and I believe good things are ahead for CCC.

I have lots of experience as a business owner, Pastor, and leader. But of course, every church situation is different and a key truth of Christianity is that we trust in God’s Spirit and His resources, not ourselves alone. Amen?

God always uses people, and it will be great to see how He uses our church leaders- and you, the church family - as we prepare to begin the next 100 years for CCC together! My goal is to be a ‘bridge to the next pastor,’ and help guide our church through all the steps along the way.

[Redacted] I want you to know that I will be here for you on Sundays, Sunday afternoons, and probably at least one weekday. But you don’t need to wait until those days to reach me- I will be available to you by phone or email. You will see those numbers printed in the bulletin and church literature. Much of my work will be done remote from home, but as time allows, I would also like to visit you and get to know you better personally or answer any questions you may have.

My first request of you is that you will pray for me. God never intended for pastors to run a church alone, all through the Bible we see God using teams and groups to accomplish His will. So I will need your prayers. Also, pray as we begin this series starting in April, about how we take steps closer to God. Pray also for who you can invite to come to this 5 week series that introduces the Christian life. Because I believe people need ‘a friend like you and a church like ours!’ Will you pray with me about those things?

I hope you’ll come up to me or Carol and introduce yourself so we can begin to put names and faces of the CCC family together.

God bless you and I hope to see you this Sunday!

Pastor Mark Rathe