It’s often been said that pastoral ministry is a lifelong journey—and if that’s true, then some parts feel like a leisurely stroll, others like a grueling cross-country marathon, and still others like wandering aimlessly through the Costco parking lot trying to find your car.

My journey here at Bethany began 5 ½  years ago on January 1, 2020. I had just come off several exhausting years of solo pastoring a larger congregation in Virginia.  Bethany was a breath of fresh air and so welcoming.  But I must admit, I was looking forward to a slightly slower pace—and maybe a little less excitement. But within weeks, COVID hit, bringing with it a whole new set of challenges and uncertainties. The elders’ plan from the beginning had always been to bring on another pastor as we all rebuilt the ministry together—but like so many things in that season, COVID had its own timeline. So we all just pressed on.

Then, in March 2020—right in the middle of lockdowns, livestream hiccups, and taped-off pews—I received a cold call email from a recent Liberty University grad named Isaac Martin.

He shared that he was sensing a call to pastoral ministry and wondered if we needed help with youth. At the time, our student ministry was lay-led and steady, and no one knew what kind of church would emerge on the other side of the pandemic. Everything was in a holding pattern. So, I thanked him kindly—and full confession—deleted the email.

But God, in His providence, had other plans.

Three months later, everything had shifted.  Bethany  was changing. The church was  growing and we came out of COVID stronger than we went in. At the same time, our student ministry was in transition, and we were feeling the weight of those gaps.   In a moment of what can only be described as digital repentance, I dug through my deleted emails, found Isaac’s message, and reached back out, tentatively: “You’ve probably moved on—but want to talk?”

To his credit, he did.

Isaac came in for an interview, and from the beginning, I was impressed by his sincerity, straightforwardness, and quiet confidence. In July 2020, he met with our elders, who saw what I did: an earnest heart, a sense of calling, and the unmistakable sense that this young man was meant to be here.

On October 1, 2020, Isaac began a six-month, part-time internship in youth ministry. And it didn’t take long to realize—he wasn’t just a placeholder. He was the right person at the right time. He and Kate quickly became a blessing to our entire church family.

In April 2021, we brought him on for a two year full-time pastoral internship. In October of that year, he was licensed to the gospel ministry. And in April 2023, Isaac officially became our Assistant Pastor.

Along the way, God continued to bless the Martins. Isaac and Kate started a family, and we’ve had the joy of welcoming Lucy and Molly to Bethany all the while Isaac was pursuing a master’s degree in ministry.  What a gift their entire family has been to us!

And now, this Sunday, May 18, we gather to ordain Isaac.

Ordination is more than a ministry milestone. It’s a formal recognition of what God has already made clear—that He has called Isaac to vocational pastoral ministry. As elders and as a congregation, we’ve had the privilege of testing and affirming that call over time. This moment is both a celebration of all that God has done and a joyful anticipation of all that lies ahead.

Isaac has touched nearly every area of ministry here at Bethany—student ministry, facilities, Next Gen, AV, teaching, preaching, and much, much more. Through his internship and his pastoral service, he has grown in wisdom, gained experience, and honed the gifts God has given him. And through it all, he has served with humility, thoughtfulness, and grace. His ministry among us has been outstanding.

I’ve long desired the opportunity to pour into a younger pastor—to mentor, to walk alongside, and maybe help them avoid a few of the potholes I’ve stepped in over the years. And while I would never presume to call myself Paul, these last several years have truly felt like a Paul-and-Timothy journey. Isaac is more than a colleague. He is a son in the faith. I am both grateful and incredibly proud of him. He is now—and has been—a full and equal partner in pastoral ministry with Pastor John and me. This ordination is simply the joyful recognition of that reality.

The Bible reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.” And that is what we celebrate this Sunday—the faithful call of God, and the faithful hand of God in bringing it to fruition.

So, I invite you to make a special effort to join us this Sunday. Celebrate this moment. Affirm this calling. We have a slightly condensed regular service planned but at the end, we’ll have an ordination ceremony for Isaac.  Much of Isaac’s extended family will be in attendance, so  let’s make sure they feel especially welcome.

Between the service and immediately following the second service, we’ll host a cake and coffee reception in the lobby. There will be an opportunity to greet Isaac and Kate and express your encouragement. We’ll also have a basket available for cards, notes and expressions of love—please consider writing a personal message to bless and support them as they continue this journey.

God has been faithful—and He will continue to be.

See you Sunday,
Steve