Process of Selection
The Pastor Search Ministry Team was selected and nominated to the church from the Pastor Search Team Nominations Ministry Team identified in the by-laws as "Chair of the Deacons, Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, Chair of the Church Worker Nominations Ministry Team, and the Chair of the Personnel Ministry Team." This group consisting of Fred Howell, Myra Hartel, Bandy Singh, Gary Nelson, Lance LaFan, and Brett Valentine met numerous times.
After much prayer and consideration of the persons that should serve on this team, the Pastor Search Ministry Team was selected to represent a cross section of the Church Membership. Each member of the search team was selected based on their walk with God and willingness to serve Him to select our next pastor.
The work and process for the search team
The Pastor Search Ministry Team's most important task is to pray. The search team will study the church profile, develop a profile of a potential pastor, receive recommendations from the congregation and other sources, and seek the pastor that God has chosen to lead our church. Obviously, the search team tasks will include listening to sermons, interviewing potential pastors, checking references, and other means to determine the will of God.
Once the search team finds the man that God has chosen for Temple, the pastor and his family will be invited to Temple to preach and meet our congregation. The resident membership will be notified when the search committee makes it recommendation to the church.
How you can be praying
Now that Temple has announced the names of those who will comprise the Pastor Search Team, it's important that we, the church, commit to pray for God's guidance and direction on them as they seek out Temple's new preaching pastor. This is a very special undertaking on their behalf. Each are sacrificing their time and effort because of their love for Jesus, their love for the church, and their desire to see Temple continue to be a source of gospel hope, fellowship, and love to our community. Therefore, we need to pray daily for this team. Below are some specific prayer points that you may use to guide your times of prayer:
1. Pray that the Pastor Search Team will have their priorities in order.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." Matthew 6:33 These words of instruction were given by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. They were not addressed specifically to a pastors search team. However, Jesus made this statement to help us understand the right way to establish priorities in the Kingdom of God. Everything begins with him, works through him, and is accomplished by him for his glory.
2. Pray that the Pastor Search Team would draw close to God through meaningful times of Scripture reading and prayer.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 The central message of John 15 is that disciples are sent into the world to carry out the tasks of Jesus. Failure to abide in him, and allow his Word to abide in us will prohibit us from bringing glory to his name. Therefore, pray that this team will abide daily in Him through the word and prayer, that through this process God will be glorified and the name of Jesus will be exalted.
3. Pray for a spirit of unity among the Pastor Search Team.
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Matthew 18:19-20 "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10 Pray that the Spirit of God would unify this team as they seek to glorify him in their search.
4. Pray for wisdom and discernment as the Pastor Search Team considers resumes and interviews candidates.
Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-14. "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (v.14) The goal of the Pastor Search Team is seek the man that God intends to lead Temple. Therefore, we pray that the team members would avail themselves to the leading of God's spirit who provides wisdom, discernment, and understanding.
5. Pray that God will grant the Pastor Search Team the wisdom to identify the personal characteristics and attributes of a leader that will best benefit the needs of Temple.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Ephesians 4:11-16."For the body does not consist of one member but of many." 1 Cor. 12:14 "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." Ephesians 4:11-12 God knows exactly what Temple needs right now in a leader. Pray that God will lead the Pastor Search Team to the man who possesses the appropriate gifts, skills, and abilities that our body needs to lead Temple forward.
6. Pray that God will protect Temple from the evil one during this time of transition.
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 During a time of transition a church can be vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. Therefore, pray that Temple will remain alert and fixed on Jesus. The mission of the church has not changed. There is a work to be done. Let us pray that God will watch over and protect this body.
May God be honored and glorified through Temple as we trust and follow him in the days ahead.
Team Members
Aaron Zumwalt
Family:
Married to Lindsey Zumwalt
Children: Kenadie (3 years) and Berkley (3 months)
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
I accepted Christ at 9 years old during RA camp. It was later, during my college years, that I developed a stronger walk with the Lord as God showed me how to put my complete trust in Him.
Ministry Involvement:
- Deacon
- Preschool Bible Fellowship teacher
- Parking Team
- Upward football and basketball coach
- C-Group leader
- Disciple Now volunteer
- 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament volunteer
Your prayer for this search process:
That we will seek God’s will as we move through this process to find the man that He has already chosen for us.
Education:
- BSBA - University of Southern Mississippi 2003
- MBA - William Carey University 2006
Profession:
Administration & Finance Manager at Dixie Electric Power Assn.
Diane Hardin
Family:
Married to George Hardin (25 years)
Children: Jennifer; Trey; Lindsey
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
As the second of five children in a loving, Christian home, I knew who Jesus was from early childhood. But as a sophomore in high school, God began to awaken in me the knowledge of my sinfulness and my desperate need of a Savior. Although a "good" girl from a godly family, I remember feeling the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders as I surrendered my life to Christ. We know in the Scripture that God reveals Himself through different names in different situations. That night, I met Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Ministry Involvement:
- Student Ministry
- Prayer Ministry
- Women's Ministry
Your prayer for this search process:
I pray that we will not get ahead of God. All of us want a new pastor as soon as possible, but I pray that we will be patient and allow God to lead us.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree from Mississippi College
- Masters in Teaching from Winthrop University
Profession:
8th grade English and History Teacher
Howard Yawn
Family:
Married to Carol Ann
Children: Keith (41 years); Steven (39); 4 grandchildren
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
By God's great mercy and grace I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 14 and was baptized at age 20.
Ministry Involvement:
- Deacon
- Assistant Adult Bible Fellowship teacher
- Mission trip for carpentry work
Your prayer for this search process:
That God will lead us to His man that He has chosen. That He would have His way and not man's. That God would send a man to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Profession:
Retired
High Voltage Linemen
Jay Staats
Family:
Married to Cheryl Staats (42 years)
Children: Marc (stationed in France); Karla (Hattiesburg); Ryan (Huntsville, AL); 6 grandchildren
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
Received Christ at an after-school meeting of Youth for Christ.
Ministry Involvement:
- Church orchestra
- Preschool Host Team
- Lord’s Supper Committee
- Deacon (Chairman of the Deacons – 2000 & 2004)
Your prayer for this search process:
A unified, Spirit-led search committee totally committed to connecting with the man God has identified to lead Temple.
Education:
- Bachelors of Science - Physics
Profession:
Employed by Firestone and Cooper Industries in a variety of engineering and management positions. Currently employed at Camp Shelby
Steve Britt
Family:
Married to Jana Rayborn Britt
Children: Andrew and Amelia (4 years) and Madision (20 months).
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
I accepted Christ at the age of 12 at my home church in Cleveland, MS, and wasn't discipled until I was in my late twenties by several men at Temple.
Ministry Involvement:
- Facilitate Men's Bible Study
- Teach Adult Bible Fellowship
- Deacon
Your prayer for this search process:
I pray God will unite our committee through His Word and His Spirit. I pray God will lead us to the man He has been preparing for the good work He is
carrying out in us, His church.
Education:
- Delta State for undergrad.
- University of MS Medical Center for physical therapy
Profession:
Forrest General in Outpatient Rehab.
Tommy Clark
Family:
Married to Paula Clark
Three children; Five grandchildren
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
Was called to salvation at nine years old. Greatest change in my walk with God came when I received my first large print, new, Bible. I began to read straight through the Scriptures in seeking Him and life has never been the same.
Ministry Involvement:
- Teach sixth grade men
- Involved with annual mission team to Nicaragua
- Greatest call from our Lord is to be a servant
Education:
- Bachelor's of Science Degree from University of Southern Mississippi
- Master's Degree from University of Southern Mississippi
Profession:
Worked for South Mississippi Electric Power Association for 37 years
Ronnie Kent
Family:
Married to Anne Brooks Kent
Children: Emily married to Troy Gradner; James married to Jessica; Grace
Grandchildren: Mary Brooke and James Covington due March, 2012
Coming to Faith in Jesus:
My mother lead me to put my faith in Jesus in our kitchen in Quentin, MS, at the age of 9.
Ministry Involvement:
- Teach adult Bible Fellowship class
- Lead a MasterLife group
- Weekly men's support group
- Mentoring
- Deacon
- Support and work with Kendrick Ministries in El Salvador
Prayer for the search process:
God would direct us to the pastor that will help us become all that God has had in mind for Temple.
Education:
- BS - Mississippi State University in Biological Engineering
- MD - University Mississippi Medical Center
Profession:
Medical Director - Hattiesburg Clinic Connections