​A SAD/HAPPY “GOODBYE”

​A SAD/HAPPY “GOODBYE”

​Today we are saying “goodbye” to Pastor Ryan, Jessica, and children. After serving at Bethel Church for 11 years, Pastor Ryan is leaving to serve the emerging Bridge Church in Fort Saskatchewan.

This is such a sad/happy occasion for us as a church. On the one hand, this is an exciting time. It represents a high point for both the Peddes and Bethel Church. Pastor Ryan will be giving leadership to a church for which we have planned and prayed for five years. He will be fulfilling his personal life-long dream of planting a church. We trust that many, now living far from God, will hear and receive the Good News of Jesus Christ through his ministry.

On the other hand, this is a sad occasion because we are saying “goodbye” to a family we have come to love. Pastor Ryan and Jessica came to Bethel after graduating from Vanguard College. Ryan invested 11 years into Bethel and has made a huge difference in the lives of many youth and young adults. When he became our Second Pastor he touched all of us through his wider ministry and preaching. Jessica made an impact as a partner in ministry with Ryan.

We deeply appreciate the sacrifice the Peddes are making. Settling into a new city and being responsible for an emerging church is no easy task.

We are grateful that our “goodbye” is not the end of our relationship or even of our contact. We hope to stay in close touch with Bridge Church and to have Pastor Ryan preach from time to time.

We will say our farewell to the Peddes at the end of the 9:00 a.m. service today. Refreshments and cake afterward will be serve afterward. –Pastor Tom 

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