Summer Plans
Details about my sabbatical
by Dan Londeree, Pastor
by Dan Londeree, Pastor
As I’ve shared on several Sundays and through our church email newsletter, I am taking a sabbatical that will run from May 26-July 20 (eight weeks). This is designed as an extended time away from my pastoral responsibilities to allow me to grow stronger in my relationship with God, spend time with my family and prepare for the next phase of ministry God has for us here at Pea Ridge. In addition, it is a time for our church to grow stronger as our congregation comes together to carry on our mission and vision while I am away.
I first discussed this with church council in September 2024 and they approved it later in the fall. Since then, I have been making preparations so that our ministry will thrive during this 8-week period. I’m sharing these details so each church member will know how things will work.
Sunday Worship Service Schedules
June 1
Worship led by Render The Hearts
Kids time led by Zach Stevens, youth director
Message by Rob Ely, West Virginia Baptist Convention director of student ministries and young leader development
June 8
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Joe Hutchinson, pastor and traveling preacher
Communion led by Brent Beckett, Pea Ridge deacon
June 15
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Mike Sisson, West Virginia Baptist Convention executive minister
June 22
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Rob Ely, West Virginia Baptist Convention director of student ministries and young leader development
June 29
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Brian Morrison, Pea Ridge Deacon
July 6
Worship led by Kentucky Christian University worship collective
Kids time led by Levi Casto, children’s director
Message by Joey Heck, Pea Ridge Deacon
July 13
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Chuck Fry, missionary with The Navigators
Communion led by Ron Brownfield, Pea Ridge deacon
July 20
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Chris Atkins, Pea Ridge deacon
Our deacons and deaconesses will be providing regular pastoral care during this time, so you are encouraged to keep in close touch with them. If you have an emergency need for pastoral care on weekdays during the hours of 8 a.m.-2 p.m., please call the church office and Cari will work to help you. For all needs outside of regular office hours or if Cari is out of the office, please call the emergency number at 304-394-2670. This number will be forwarded to the deacon on call.
I won’t be answering calls or texts related to church activities while on sabbatical; please call the church office for anything church-related. Jennifer and I are not planning to be present on Sundays, though you may see Emma and Claire from time to time. We will likely worship at other local churches to allow for us to worship God and receive His Word without thinking about ministry responsibilities. We love serving Him with you, and we believe this break will help us recharge so we can be even stronger when my sabbatical is over. While my goal is to disconnect from church ministry for these eight weeks, I am not trying to completely disconnect from our church family. I’m sure there will be times we see some of you and we will be glad to catch up when that happens!
I have a few other thoughts to share about these next eight weeks:
• This is a time to lean into your faith and your church family, not check out. As you continue to invest in the relationships you are building with God and others here at Pea Ridge, you will continue to grow!
• Connect with God daily. Our summer reading plan will take you through the book of Psalms and help you consider the goodness of God how we as His people should open our hearts to Him in the good times and the hard times. And if you’re interested in deeper study, check out the “resources” tab in the main menu of our website. The online reading plan gives you a link to the BibleProject Psalms guide and other helps for Bible study and meditation also are available.
• Join a life group. These are listed on our website under the “ministries” tab on the main menu. Contact the church office to get connected to a life group leader and plan a time to attend the group.
• Make Sunday morning worship gatherings a priority. If you aren’t sick or on vacation, be here! We have a great series planned and solid Bible teachers scheduled each week. And while you’re here, invite someone to lunch with you after the service! This is a great way to get to know others in your church family.
• If you’re not already serving in our church ministry, ask God to show you how He wants you to serve here at Pea Ridge. You can join the welcome team and greet people as they come in. Serve in Ridge Kids and make a difference in the life of a child. Work in our media ministry and help enhance the service live and send it out online. Use your musical abilities on the worship team and help lead our church as we praise God together. There are many more ways to serve at Pea Ridge … call the main office to get started!
• Give generously to support our local church ministry and missionaries and mission agencies in our country and abroad. Using the biblical principle of the tithe, give 10% of what God provides for you and trust Him as you live on the other 90%. Or take a step of faith give beyond that as He leads! You can give online using our mobile app or website, or place your tithe and offering in the black box mounted on the wall next to the main sanctuary doors.
• Pray for the people you’re connected to … your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Ask God to give you opportunities to show them the love of Jesus and share the good news about him. Invite your neighbors over for dinner and get to know them better!
• Pray for and encourage our church staff and leadership teams. Cari, Zach, Levi, Kelci, church council, deacons, deaconesses, trustees, ministry leaders, life group leaders, church renewal team … they need your prayer and support. Our church staff and renewal team will also have the extra support of Ed Rogers with Renew Transformational Strategies.
• Pray for our kids and adults who are going to Camp Cowen this summer, and for all those who will be serving there. Ask God to work in and through each of them as they grow in their faith.
• Pray for those who are preaching God’s Word this summer here at Pea Ridge, and ask God to prepare your heart to receive His Word each Sunday.
• Pray for our Saints Prison Ministry softball team as they travel to share the good news of Jesus with inmates in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, and specifically for Brian Morrison as he leads this ministry.
• Be faithful to God and expect Him to do great things in your life and in our church this summer!
I will be following these principles as well, with the exception of attending and serving at Pea Ridge on Sundays. I intend to use our Psalms reading plan for my own personal time with God.
On a personal note, I want to express my love for each of you. My desire is that for all of us, the next eight weeks will bring us closer to Jesus and closer to one another. As I type this, I have each of you in my heart. Thank you for understanding that I need this time away so that I can return to you stronger in my personal walk with Jesus and better able to lead our church as we fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives.
Restored hearts.
Renewed relationships.
Revived compassion.
Reliable foundation.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1–2)
I first discussed this with church council in September 2024 and they approved it later in the fall. Since then, I have been making preparations so that our ministry will thrive during this 8-week period. I’m sharing these details so each church member will know how things will work.
Sunday Worship Service Schedules
June 1
Worship led by Render The Hearts
Kids time led by Zach Stevens, youth director
Message by Rob Ely, West Virginia Baptist Convention director of student ministries and young leader development
June 8
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Joe Hutchinson, pastor and traveling preacher
Communion led by Brent Beckett, Pea Ridge deacon
June 15
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Mike Sisson, West Virginia Baptist Convention executive minister
June 22
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Rob Ely, West Virginia Baptist Convention director of student ministries and young leader development
June 29
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Brian Morrison, Pea Ridge Deacon
July 6
Worship led by Kentucky Christian University worship collective
Kids time led by Levi Casto, children’s director
Message by Joey Heck, Pea Ridge Deacon
July 13
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Chuck Fry, missionary with The Navigators
Communion led by Ron Brownfield, Pea Ridge deacon
July 20
Worship led by Pea Ridge Praise Band
Message by Chris Atkins, Pea Ridge deacon
Our deacons and deaconesses will be providing regular pastoral care during this time, so you are encouraged to keep in close touch with them. If you have an emergency need for pastoral care on weekdays during the hours of 8 a.m.-2 p.m., please call the church office and Cari will work to help you. For all needs outside of regular office hours or if Cari is out of the office, please call the emergency number at 304-394-2670. This number will be forwarded to the deacon on call.
I won’t be answering calls or texts related to church activities while on sabbatical; please call the church office for anything church-related. Jennifer and I are not planning to be present on Sundays, though you may see Emma and Claire from time to time. We will likely worship at other local churches to allow for us to worship God and receive His Word without thinking about ministry responsibilities. We love serving Him with you, and we believe this break will help us recharge so we can be even stronger when my sabbatical is over. While my goal is to disconnect from church ministry for these eight weeks, I am not trying to completely disconnect from our church family. I’m sure there will be times we see some of you and we will be glad to catch up when that happens!
I have a few other thoughts to share about these next eight weeks:
• This is a time to lean into your faith and your church family, not check out. As you continue to invest in the relationships you are building with God and others here at Pea Ridge, you will continue to grow!
• Connect with God daily. Our summer reading plan will take you through the book of Psalms and help you consider the goodness of God how we as His people should open our hearts to Him in the good times and the hard times. And if you’re interested in deeper study, check out the “resources” tab in the main menu of our website. The online reading plan gives you a link to the BibleProject Psalms guide and other helps for Bible study and meditation also are available.
• Join a life group. These are listed on our website under the “ministries” tab on the main menu. Contact the church office to get connected to a life group leader and plan a time to attend the group.
• Make Sunday morning worship gatherings a priority. If you aren’t sick or on vacation, be here! We have a great series planned and solid Bible teachers scheduled each week. And while you’re here, invite someone to lunch with you after the service! This is a great way to get to know others in your church family.
• If you’re not already serving in our church ministry, ask God to show you how He wants you to serve here at Pea Ridge. You can join the welcome team and greet people as they come in. Serve in Ridge Kids and make a difference in the life of a child. Work in our media ministry and help enhance the service live and send it out online. Use your musical abilities on the worship team and help lead our church as we praise God together. There are many more ways to serve at Pea Ridge … call the main office to get started!
• Give generously to support our local church ministry and missionaries and mission agencies in our country and abroad. Using the biblical principle of the tithe, give 10% of what God provides for you and trust Him as you live on the other 90%. Or take a step of faith give beyond that as He leads! You can give online using our mobile app or website, or place your tithe and offering in the black box mounted on the wall next to the main sanctuary doors.
• Pray for the people you’re connected to … your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Ask God to give you opportunities to show them the love of Jesus and share the good news about him. Invite your neighbors over for dinner and get to know them better!
• Pray for and encourage our church staff and leadership teams. Cari, Zach, Levi, Kelci, church council, deacons, deaconesses, trustees, ministry leaders, life group leaders, church renewal team … they need your prayer and support. Our church staff and renewal team will also have the extra support of Ed Rogers with Renew Transformational Strategies.
• Pray for our kids and adults who are going to Camp Cowen this summer, and for all those who will be serving there. Ask God to work in and through each of them as they grow in their faith.
• Pray for those who are preaching God’s Word this summer here at Pea Ridge, and ask God to prepare your heart to receive His Word each Sunday.
• Pray for our Saints Prison Ministry softball team as they travel to share the good news of Jesus with inmates in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, and specifically for Brian Morrison as he leads this ministry.
• Be faithful to God and expect Him to do great things in your life and in our church this summer!
I will be following these principles as well, with the exception of attending and serving at Pea Ridge on Sundays. I intend to use our Psalms reading plan for my own personal time with God.
On a personal note, I want to express my love for each of you. My desire is that for all of us, the next eight weeks will bring us closer to Jesus and closer to one another. As I type this, I have each of you in my heart. Thank you for understanding that I need this time away so that I can return to you stronger in my personal walk with Jesus and better able to lead our church as we fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives.
Restored hearts.
Renewed relationships.
Revived compassion.
Reliable foundation.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1–2)