Hello, again, Pasture Family.
A week ago, I sent a note to you, The Pasture congregation, outlining some changes to our staffing structure (the note is below). Now, a week later, I have a difficult update to share with you all. We have ended our employment relationship with Ryan and Sara Eaves, effective November 6, 2025. This is a decision made after significant thought, discussion, and prayer amongst members of the Elder Team. Additionally, Nathan Gates has resigned effective immediately from his role as Tech Director.
We so appreciate Ryan and Sara’s ministry with us over the past couple of years, as well as Nathan's. They have wonderful giftings and passion for people. God will continue to use them to do His Kingdom work. Of this we are certain. But we believe that this is the right decision for both the church and Ryan, Sara, and Nathan. We wish them all the best.
We are committed to getting the right people in the right seats on the bus and moving our ministry forward. Our vision and strategies are being evaluated and discussed, and feedback and input from so many of you is being received already as we develop the family ministry that we envision.
We are not pulling back our effort. In fact, we are convinced now more than ever that the investment we make in families is as critical as any within the church. Equipping saints for the work of ministry includes equipping families to make disciples of their children and grand children. But we are also convinced that a return to simplicity is the best way to approach the vision, and that solid leadership is a must.
As stated before, Pastor Rich is running point on the Family Ministry. Megan will be stepping in to help as we transition and identify new leadership. We will work hard to keep things from falling through the cracks and fix the things that are in need of attention. We are working to get the tech bases covered as well. Thanks for your patience.
Please pray for your church and its leadership, and pray for Ryan, Sara, and Nathan as they move into what is next for them.
Blessings
From last week...
Greetings, Pasture Family.
We are grateful and excited about what God is doing here at The Pasture. It’s been an incredible five years, and we are eagerly anticipating the good things God will do in the next season of our ministry together.
Our vision is to cultivate a pastoral culture here at The Pasture. By that we mean that we want to focus our energy and efforts on the perpetuation of a culture in which the members of the Bride (the church) are encouraged and equipped to step up and meet the needs of each other and love each other in supernatural ways. We want to act like sheep and shepherds at the same time. We want a congregation that truly engages in spurring one another on toward love and good works rather than simply tasking the paid professionals with making sure that everybody is getting everything they ask for from the church. It’s not that we don’t need vocational pastors and staff. We do. And our prayer is that we have the right mix of personnel to adequately accomplish the mission of equipping the church for the work of ministry.
Having said all of that, I want to make you aware of some changes to our current staffing, as the structure has changed slightly. As of November 1, 2025, we will have three vocational pastors on staff. Pastor Mick is the Lead Pastor and elder, Pastor Rich and Pastor Jeff are Associate Pastors (Rich in a full-time capacity, and Jeff in a part-time capacity). Both are also a part of the elder team. Our Lay Elders are Kirk Billiter and Steve Castleman. Ryan Eaves is moving into a part-time role as a Family Ministry Associate and will continue to focus primarily on ministry to children and their families as part of the Family Ministry Team. Megan Castleman is also a Family Ministry Associate and continues to minister primarily to the Junior High students and their families as part of the Family Ministry Team (she is also picking up some administrative duties in Jackie’s absence). Pastor Rich is the leader of the Family Ministry Team and ministers to High School students and parents as well as young adults, in addition to a variety of other leadership responsibilities.
We have also adjusted Nathan Gates’ role as the technical director to part-time. He and the tech volunteers will continue to make sure that all of the technical needs are covered week in and week out.
Other part time staff includes Peggy Schippert (Worship), Jill Duffy (Director of Women’s Ministry and Event Coordination Assistant), Sara Eaves (Admin Assistant for Family Ministry) and Jackie Orns (Business Manager / Admin Assistant; currently on maternity leave).
We are nearing the end of another year. We want to finish strong and carry the ministry momentum into 2026. We know God has great things in store. Let me encourage you to give generously to the ministry of The Pasture as we close out 2025. Your year-end giving will put us in a strong financial position moving forward. Of course, all gifts are tax deductible, and anything received by midnight on December 31, 2025 will provide benefit for you in this current tax year.
In January, we will distribute a report on the vision and budget goals for 2026. This way we can all celebrate the goodness of God together as we undertake the tasks He will set before us. We have so much to be thankful for.
I am so glad to serve alongside of each of you. You are family to me, and I love you dearly. Keep encouraging and engaging!
Blessings,
Pastor Mick