Community News 3/5/2025
Community –
One of the joys of pastoring at Community is the opportunity to know, love, and serve our church staff. They are good people!
Working alongside Vickie Maynard has been a special joy. Many of you have known and loved Vickie for decades. For years, you’ve experienced just how special she is. I’m playing catch up – but it has been a sweet journey! She is teaching me about living a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life. She is showing me how to “give ministry away” by investing in leaders. She demonstrates humility in leadership, gentleness in strength, and compassion in conviction. I’ve come to deeply appreciate what Vickie brings to our staff team and our church.
In January, Vickie pulled me aside to share that she was feeling released from Community Kids (serving babies through fifth graders and their families). Vickie stepped in as a volunteer when we needed some intentional leadership back in October of 2023. For nearly a year and a half, Vickie has loved, served, and led faithfully. Neither of us had any indication of what God had in store for Community Kids, but we committed to pray for God’s leading and provision.
While I always try to pray with great faith in God’s goodness and sovereignty, I was honestly surprised at how quickly God answered our prayers – in just a matter of weeks. This weekend, I’m so excited to introduce you to Brooke Estes!
I could think of some creative or fun ways to describe Brooke, but there is nothing more meaningful to say than that Brooke loves God passionately and loves people deeply. She loves helping children and their parents experience and respond to the good news of Jesus. She has a disciple-making heart and is attentive to the work of the Spirit in and around her. I’m thrilled to announce that she is joining our staff team as part-time Director of Community Kids.
I can’t wait for you to hear the story of God’s call on Brooke’s life and how He has led her to be a part of what He is doing here at Community! Ask her about it. Ask her about her family. Ask her about her dreams for kid’s ministry. God is good. Again and again, God is good.
Brooke was with us last weekend, meeting the Kids Team and a few of the families at check-in. This weekend, join me in officially welcoming Brooke, Josh (her husband), and their three children (Keira, Kaylee, and Luke). We’ll also get a chance to thank and honor Vickie. Vickie will stay engaged here at Community (including helping lead a House Church!). She will work closely coaching and supporting Brooke in the weeks to come. And, if you know Vickie, she will certainly continue to pursue the Lord with an open heart and open hands to how she can be a part of His heart to flood our valley with heaven!
I hate to leverage FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), but I’m so excited about this weekend. The Spirit is stirring hearts, mercy is overflowing, God’s Kingdom is taking root! Join me in preparing (consecrating) your heart for our weekend together. God is moving in our midst. We steward that by preparing our heart for more of Him. More of you and your way, Jesus. Come, Holy Spirit.
With Joy –
Pastor Brett
