As we look ahead to the fall of 2026, I want to share with you a meaningful and deeply personal milestone in my ministry: my first pastoral sabbatical. This season, which has been graciously approved by both our Personnel Council and Deacon Council, is an incredible gift—one that I receive with profound gratitude for the love, support, and care of Ardmore Baptist Church. My sabbatical will begin on Monday, September 14 and I will return to Ardmore on Sunday, November 29.

A sabbatical is, at its heart, an intentional time set apart for rest, renewal, and growth. It is a sacred pause in the rhythm of ministry that allows space to listen more deeply for God’s voice and to be restored for the work ahead. Over the course of these weeks, I will engage in a variety of experiences designed to deepen my relationship with God, strengthen my pastoral imagination, and broaden my vision for ministry.

Part of this journey will take me into places of natural beauty that invite reflection and renewal. I will spend time in and around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, as well as Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Later, I will travel to the Pacific Northwest and California, visiting Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic, and Yosemite National Parks. These landscapes offer more than scenic views—they provide sacred space to encounter God through creation, to pray, to rest, and to be reminded of the grandeur and grace of the One we worship. The sabbatical will conclude with a retreat at nearby St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, a beloved place of quiet and spiritual grounding close to home.

This season will also create intentional space for me to be present with my family in ways that the normal pace of ministry often makes difficult. There will be unhurried days at home, shared trips, and simple moments of connection that are just as sacred as any retreat or classroom. Whether celebrating birthdays, traveling together, or enjoying time in the mountains, this sabbatical will allow me to invest deeply in my relationship with Jess and our children. Before I am a pastor, I am a husband and a father. I am grateful for the opportunity to nurture these relationships, trusting that a healthy and grounded family life is an essential part of faithful and sustainable church ministry.