Lee O'Briant's Resignation

07.03.2004

Lee presented the following message the conclusion of morning worship, June 27, 2004:

ATTENTION: Pastor Jim (The Personnel Team, and the Church Body of Arapahoe Road),

For many of us here God has taken us down roads that seemed hard to accept. Maybe a road that seemed uncertain, dangerous, or sometimes even crazy. Well, God has taken me down many roads in my life that seemed muddy along the way but somehow became crystal clear once the road had been taken.

Today, I stand before you declaring that God has indeed taken me on quite a journey over the last 8 years. Sometimes the journey seemed muddy but today is seems to be clearing quickly. On June 23, 1996 Arapahoe Road Baptist Church called me to be the Youth Pastor and over the last several years the church and I have experienced much together. Through it all you have come to know me and I have come to know you in a way that only relatives know each other. Arapahoe Road Baptist Church is part of my family.

When I interviewed at ARBC I set a goal of seeing the rising 7th graders graduate. And, two years ago I saw that goal become a reality. And, with what was happening at Arapahoe Road at that time I thought my time was coming to an end here. But, God saw things differently. Just because times were getting tough at ARBC didn’t mean God was giving me another ministry. We saw the church split and we went through a time where there were only 3 or 4 youth coming to our youth programs. The entire church was struggling and all of us knew it. And, even though I prayed many times for God to take me out of the circumstances I was in, God saw fit to take me on an incredible journey of what I like to believe was growth and maturity. Even last Sunday ARBC acknowledged God’s call in my life by ordaining me to the ministry, which further confirms what God has been doing through me.

I hope you know and believe in your heart that I have served our Lord Jesus at this church with sincerity and devotion over the past 8 years. And, I appreciate every bit of support that you have shown me. This ministry has been successful, in part, because of your love for our Lord and your commitment to see Jesus glorified. Thank you, thank you and thank you for your support.

But, God is moving and I must follow. God has confirmed in my heart and in the heart of my wife, Shawna, that though his calling my life has remained the same, the direction where He is taking my ministry is changing. It brings me both great sorrow and yet excitement to see God’s hand moving us. But, regardless of how I feel, we must follow God where He is leading. In order to remain obedient to Him, I must resign as Youth Pastor of Arapahoe Road Baptist Church effective July 19th, 2004. Then, we mill be moving where I will serve as the Youth Minister for Village Baptist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Thank you for the years of service and ministry and I look forward to continuing to serve our Lord Jesus wherever He takes me.

Sincerely,
Lee O’Briant
Youth Pastor

Posted by at 10:47 AM