January 21, 2007
Dear Warsaw Wesleyan Church,
Nearly 5-years ago, I sat here in this sanctuary as a candidate and interviewee for the Student Ministries position that was available. Through interviews with the senior pastor and the local board, my own seeking of the Lord’s will, I came to be the Student Ministries Pastor here at Warsaw Wesleyan in September, 2002.
It is no secret that in the past 5-years, our church has gone through quite the gambit of highs and lows as a part of ministry here at Warsaw Wesleyan. Putting my trust and faith in the Lord through these highs and lows has had quite the impact on who I am becoming as both a man of God and a local church pastor.
If there is one particular thing that I have learned while ministering here at Warsaw Wesleyan Church – it is this: TO LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING.
In the past few months, I have confirmed a call upon my heart by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his calling in another ministry location. This decision has not come lightly and interestingly enough, has not come with the knowledge of where that new ministry setting will be. I have felt a distinct nudging of the Spirit to resign as the Assistant Pastor of Youth & Young Adults at Warsaw Wesleyan to be available to fulfill His call upon my life elsewhere.
I want to be clear in explaining that this call elsewhere is just that. I am not resigning because of problems in my areas of ministry. I am not resigning because of differences with Pastor J or any other on staff. I truly feel God asking us to uproot our family and be ready for his leading in another ministry position, and while I am nervous about not having a clue where that might be, I am excited and settled in my Spirit to know that what we are doing is following the will of our Heavenly Father.
I also want to be clear to say that while I feel called away from Warsaw Wesleyan, I WILL NOT weaken in my responsibilities while I remain here over the next few months. My desire is to remain here through the church year, with an end date sometime in June. While I am still on staff I pledge to give my all in each of the areas of ministry that I am involved in.
You are our home-church, Warsaw Wesleyan. Feeling called to go elsewhere has caused quite the emotional rollercoaster over the past few months. You first met my wife, Jessica, as my girlfriend. In October, 2003 you saw us engaged, then you attended our wedding in this very room in early June, 2004. A short 9-months ago you helped welcome our precious daughter, Ella Marie, into this world. Leaving here will be a difficult transition. The friendships we have made while here over the past 5-years will be heart-wrenching to move away from and will not be forgotten.
I ask that you pray along with Jessica and me as we seek the Lord’s will in this transitional time and that you continue to be the supportive, loving body that you have proved yourselves over and over to be in the past.
I ask selfishly that you pray specifically for my wife and daughter during this ministry-transition. I am honored to be married to a woman who chose at a young age to follow the Lord and who chose more than 2-years ago to marry a pastor and assume the role of Pastor’s Wife. Likewise, our precious daughter was born into this ministry family, and I desire for her to know that her father sought the Lord first in his life and that any transition we go through will be a result of God’s leading. I know that this transition will be difficult for our family and I ask for your support in getting through it.
I know with all of my heart that our Heavenly Father has a plan for this Sheets family and am as sure that he has great things in store for ministry here at Warsaw Wesleyan Church.
With a grateful heart and willing spirit,
Stevan Paul Sheets
Stevan, Jess, and Ella-
Know that Scott and I will be praying for you during this time! You are so loved, and God has great things in store for you!!!
Blessings!
Deanna
We’ll be praying, you two! I know how difficult of a decision this was, but can tell just by reading your letter that the Lord has already given you the peace to make it through. How exciting to be embarking on another God-mission. :)
Love you Stevan, Jessica and Ella, so very much. We are praying along side of you- always!!
Love,
Mom and Dad Garrett (grandpa and grandma
We’re so thankful for your family and God’s calling on your life. We pray that you continue to hear only what the Father is saying, because “he determines the times set for [you] and the exact places where [you] should live” (Acts 17:26).
We love you all and are praying! See you soon!
Dear son, daughter-in-law and baby grand daughter,
We are holding you all up in our prayers as you seek the Lord’s direction and as you finish out your time at Warsaw and say those dreaded “Goodbyes”! We know with experience, the road ahead for you as a family and Stevan you too have some knowledge and experience from your growing up years .. You know how AWESOME and always Faithful God is to His children and servants!
We are also so proud of you and what you have worked to do and accomplish in lives there in Warsaw Wesleyan Church family! You as a family will have some very precious connections there to keep as family and friends for the rest of your precious lives! May I say a very warm and greatful “Thank You” to you people of Warsaw Wesleyan and to Pastor J and his family for making this step so warmly and respectfully received! God Bless you all at Warsaw Wesleyan as you grow on in Him!
With a deeply grateful and sincere heart, Sally Sheets (Paul can speak from his heart, but we both are so thankful)!
Dear P Stev & Jess,
As a member of the church it is my prayer that we will send you out with grace and love. You have touched my family in such a personal way. When I think about our church with out you I am profoundly saddened. However I know God is faithful and he will provide once again just as He has before. I also know that He already has a place picked out for you and somewhere there is a church praying for you just as we prayed for Pastor J.
I wish I could be more eloquent in my words and I wish there were words to let you know just how much you mean to me. You will be missed.
As the next few months unfold I will read and pray with anticipation as the Father takes you on this journey.
With MUCH love & respect,
Kathy
I just read this in my devotions and thought of you:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’
hey cuz…i kno how it is to move from a church..but not yet as you do… I will be praying for you guys as God leads you toward a wonderful new step in ministry.
Dear Pastor Stevan, Jess, and Ella,
Whatever path and church the Holy Spirit leds you to will be blessed beyond their years to have you, like Warsaw Wesleyan is. Thank you so much for what you have done for this church and God already. I will be praying for you all!
P Stev and Jess… well, you know how the teens feel and we parents feel the same. We love you, AND LOVE>>> our GOD! He is the alpha and omega! I know what that amazing peace feels like, and once you experience it with such anointing, you can see it in those who feel it. You have it brother! We thank God for you and Jess. We thank God for what He IS doing in your life, and thank God for His hand on your ministry. AND thank you for your openness and willingness to follow the Holy Spirit. This is evident in your life and our teens will miss you, but will take you with them as you’ve both taught them well! Most importantly, they have seen an example in both of you and know what it means to follow Christ! “AND HOW TO WALK IT OUT!”
You will be missed but I ditto Kathy, the hand of grace will be extended unto you… from our family and beyond!
All our Prayers…
Don and Heather, Chelsey and Andria!
Mark 12:33 “And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrafice.” To be obedient to His call on your life is better than any other thing that you can possibly do. I am thankful that you are His child who listens to His voice and obeys. I have been in your situation many times and I too know the power of His hand on my life through obedience…
Much Love & Prayers, Aunt Pam
The pain is aweful, but I understand.
I love you all.
And I promise none of that will change.
Praying for you, God has great things in store…we’d love to see you come north to Michigan!!! You have each other and a precious daughter to support and lead your decision…wait on Him, his timing is always so perfect. It’s not going to be easy, but there is fun in the journey!! Maybe you’ll find a few cache’s on the way! Ha!