MINISTER For fifteen years we have been blessed to have one minister at our church. Through his guidance and preaching we have grown in numerous ways. Even those of us who have been part of growing churches throughout our lives have been excited about the changes made and the result of the growth of our current church. He is genuinely a man after God's own heart. Real. So it is not a surprise to learn that he has accepted the call to become a missionary minister in the New England states. I have seen the desire in his heart for more than a year now. He will do a tremendous job because he has been called and has yielded to that call. At his announcement, the lines were long to wish him well, to cry and hug, to long for his stay. The thought occurred to me--when have we ever had the opportunity to say goodbye to the departing minister with such love and devotion? The church receiving him will experience so many things in the coming years, but most of all will experience the minister's love for God and God's people. Now I rest assured knowing that God has chosen a new man to come to our congregation who will meet the needs and help make the changes necessary. May he yield to that call. And thank you, God.