Church Family

Dear Church Family,

Editor’s Note: This letter was crafted from the prayerful meeting of the Elders.  It is posted under my name (Donnie), but it was written as a team and not by me alone.

This past Sunday, May 17, we were given some sad and unfortunate news. Donnie Spivey made a significant announcement to the congregation of Bridge Community Church.

For some time now Donnie and his family have been struggling with several difficult family problems. Donnie has an ill mother who has been struggling with various health issues. Donnie’s mom is a single lady who lives alone. As she struggles with significant illnesses, she has no one to look after her or to take care of her. As her son, Donnie has struggled between focusing on his work here at the Bridge and his responsibility to care and provide for his mother.

As a result of this and several other health and family concerns, Donnie has made the difficult decision to resign from his work here in Kamloops and to move his family back to Florida, so that he can be closer to his mom in order to look after her. This decision has not been easy for Donnie. His heart is here with us, but he cannot continue on with so many troubles facing his family. The Spivey family asks for prayer as they attempt to sell their home, and make final preparations for the move back to Florida. Until their home sells they will not be able to move back to Florida. In light of this there is no certainty regarding Donnie’s departure. However, it seems likely that the Spivey family will leave by July.

As you are all aware, it is always a stressful and difficult time in the life of any church whenever there is a transition in leadership. However, God has been doing some amazing things in our midst these past few weeks, and we are confident that we are in good hands. There is sorrow over losing Donnie, but we are confident that God has more work to do in and through this church.

At the conclusion of Sunday’s service, Joshua Claycamp announced that the church members would have a meeting to discuss the future of the church in three week’s time, meeting on Sunday evening, June 7. In preparation for this meeting the Elders met Sunday evening, May 17, to discuss the future direction of the church, to pray for the church, and to finalize details on several recommendations that will be brought to the church for the church’s consideration and approval.

There was much discussion and deliberation, and the conversation was couched in prayer as the elders talked about the future of the church. The conclusion of this conversation was that two recommendations would be brought before the church for the church’s consideration.

The first item for consideration is the recommendation that Michael Oatway be appointed to the Board of Elders and be charged with the responsibility of assisting in pastoral care, administration, and leadership of the church. Michael has served this church in a variety of ways for some time now. He and his wife Melissa ran nursery and cared for the infants while the church was still meeting in the Movie Theater. In addition to this, Michael has demonstrated a firm commitment to the Word, leading the discussion and teaching at the Thursday evening Life Group. In addition, Michael has led the Financial Peace Seminar, and is gifted in money matters. The Elders had met in previous months, deliberated asking Michael to serve on the Board of Elders, and had already discussed this possibility with him prior to news regarding Donnie’s resignation. In the wake of Donnie’s resignation it seemed that the timing was right to bring this recommendation to the church for the church’s consideration.

The second item for the church’s consideration is the recommendation that Joshua Claycamp be appointed to the position of Lead Elder. Josh moved with his wife, Shanti, to Kamloops in August of 2008. He has served officially as an elder with Donnie since October and has assisted in the drafting of the church’s constitution, writing of the Life Group curriculum, writing the new member’s curriculum, and various other items and publications for the church. Joshua has a firm commitment to the Scripture, is gifted in teaching, and has led the congregation in study on several occasions during the Sunday morning worship service. The elder’s discussed various options and possibilities for finding a new Lead Elder, but ultimately felt led by the Lord to bring this recommendation before the church for the church’s consideration.

Please stay posted for more details regarding the business meeting Sunday, June 7. Be in steadfast prayer over the direction and future of our church, and these two recommendations that will be brought before the church for consideration. The days ahead will be challenging as we seek new leadership.

In Christ,
Bridge Community Church