Westheights Church is part of the “Canadian Be In Christ Church of Canada” or “BIC Canada”. We received a letter from BIC Canada that was read to us at the end of this past Sunday’s worship service. The letter was from Charlie Mashinter, who is the team leader for all BIC Community Churches in Canada.
A LETTER TO WESTHEIGHTS CHURCH
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Westheights Church,
Greetings from our BIC family across Canada!
Recently, your Church Leadership Team has been engaged under my direction in the process of End Of Term Review for your Senior Pastor, Todd Lester. This is a normal part of congregational life for every BIC Church. End of Term is a time for both the Pastor and the congregational leadership to listen to God about engagement for a new season of ministry. I appreciate that all involved have taken the time to wait on the Lord!
In going through the review it was apparent that Todd is doing a great job pastoring your congregation and has the strong support of the Church Leadership. In dialogue with Todd however, it also became evident that there was a growing “stirring” in his heart that a change of direction might be coming.
This morning I want to announce to you that Pastor Todd has decided to step down as your Pastor and move into ministry with BIC Canada as Director Of Ministry Operations effective October 1, 2017. Todd has tremendous Leadership Development and Ministry oversight abilities and this new role with BIC Canada will allow him to move into wider ministry to our BIC Pastors and congregations. We feel that God has been preparing Todd for this role.
I realize this morning that this news will come as a surprise to so many of you and will bring mixed emotions. Todd & Kim and their family have loved you and you have loved them right back. Todd’s ministry has been marked by excellence as you have grown together.
Todd will come in just a few moments to make some comments personally but let me assure you that I have begun working with your Leadership Team already to prepare a plan for transition and to move into the search for a new Lead Pastor. We will keep you posted and, as always, we are in need of your prayer support.
In every season of transition we realize that God is in control, taking care of all of us as we move forward in obedience to Him. We continue to believe that God has greater things in store for both the Lester’s and for Westheights Church. May we fix our eyes on Him together in this time of change!
Yours in Christ!
Rev. Charles E. Mashinter
Team Leader – Canadian Be In Christ Community Churches
TODD’S MESSAGE TO WESTHEIGHTS CHURCH
Click below to hear Todd’s message to the congregation, followed by the Church Board’s closing comments and prayer.
SECOND UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT
Click here to read the second, update announcement made on July 16, 2017
THIRD UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT INTERIM PASTOR
Click here to read the third, interim pastor announcement made on August 21, 2017
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Pastor Todd you have been a great leader in our church and you will be missed. You have done so much for the church and families including me and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the great and awesome advice you have given me through the years – Thank you Thank you – I am not sure if Westheights will ever have such a great leader as you were especially for the young people – I leave that in God’s hands. Thank you for being a part of my life and your teachings will never go unspoken or forgotten by me.