This week in our congregational meeting we will be voting on the election of elders and deacons for the class of 2023. We see God’s love in giving us the office of elder and of deacon for the church and we see the love of Christ for his people. As the Lord of the church he appoints leaders and, by his Spirit, equips them so that believers may grow in faith, develop disciplined Christian living, serve others in selfless love, and share with all the good news of salvation. He taught us the spirit of true leadership when he said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26- 28).

This year God has brought us six qualified men to serve Redeemer for the next three years. Jim Forest has been an elder here for many years and has felt God’s call to become active once again on the session.

JC Cobo is recommended to you from the session for the position of elder having served in the same capacity in a sister PCA church in California. He is a man who is gifted in the area of helping those who are going through health issues and we are excited as to how God will use him.

You have heard of Ron Baker’s marvelous testimony and he is also recommended to you from the session to serve as an elder. He has a heart for those who struggle with addiction issues and we have watched how God has used him in that fashion.

Doug McCarthy is recommended to you for service on the diaconate. This is a man truly qualified for that position and many of us have seen him serve in this capacity throughout the years here at Redeemer.

Gregg Deboben also has a tremendous adult conversion story and is being recommended to serve as a deacon. He is already heavily involved in the food pantry and has a tremendous burden for the poor and down trodden.

The session also is recommending Jim Sonneborn for the diaconate. Jim has served as a deacon in a sister church and loves to serve behind the scenes in various capacities.

I would ask that you prayerfully consider each of these men who are being recommended to you by the session. I do want to thank Brad Clark for his years of service on the session as he is rotating off the session for a season. He has done this church a great service and I cannot express my gratitude enough for his heart for Redeemer.

If you have any questions about any of these men who have been nominated, gone through the officer training class, examined by the session and now recommended to you by the session please contact either myself or one of the active elders or bring your questions to the congregational meeting, Sunday at 10:15.

In Him,



Craig