A Moment With Pastor Fred

5/25/18

Today we honor Rick and Karen Smith for their faithful service here for the last 8 years. Prior to moving to Eaton Rapids, the Smiths served Christ in Burkina Faso (west Africa) for 20 years. 

Rick used his veterinary training as an evangelistic tool in reaching those indigenous people. He taught at the Good Shepherd Bible Institute as well training national pastors. Since 2013, Rick has served as one of our elders – teaching, leading, shepherding. Karen has served with our Good News Bible Clubs and teaching in our women’s ministry. A few years ago, Lorene York, Karen’s mother came to live with them. She too has been a joy having here in our services. Rick will retire next month from the Michigan Department of Agriculture. They purchased a house in Gladwin and will be moving in the next several weeks.  

Thank you Smiths, for your hard work in contributing to the body of Christ here in Holt. We pray God will direct you to a new church family where you can use your gifts for his glory. 

Whenever folks leave HBC it is sad to see them move away from our fellowship. Yet we trust that how we impacted their lives will be shared with a new church family. It is a reminder here as well that the work in Holt continues. Ministries once occupied will need others to step in and fill the gap. “When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love,” Eph 4:16.