Dear Members of Lakeside,

Thank you for praying for Tan Flippin as he begins developing his new role as our full-time Pastoral Care Pastor. (And thank you for praying for Tan personally.) Also, thank you for praying for our potential Discipleship Pastor, Nicholas Dawson.

Nicholas (38), as well as his wife, Hannah (33), and their two sons, Samuel (6) and Jonathan (4), will be visiting with us this Sunday, August 24. Our senior leadership and Personnel Team encourage you to take time to hear their testimonies during the close of each service and perhaps chat with them between our regular service times. For our teachers, Tan is offering you a special opportunity to interact with Nicholas during your quarterly teachers’ meeting.

Nicholas and Hannah and their sons currently live in Wake Forest, North Carolina. They are both passionate about teaching God’s Word and serving the Lord authentically with their whole lives. Hannah is the daughter of long-term missionaries to Eastern Europe who still serve with our International Mission Board.

A few facts about Nicholas: He has been serving in the educational program at a local church similar in size to ours (Richland Creek Community Church) and in a supportive teaching role at a Southern Baptist Seminary (Southeastern) over the last decade. He teaches in his local church regularly in an Adult Life Group, through Adult Equipping classes, and by coordinating Mentorships. He has been personally and professionally mentored in discipleship, theology, and missions by three of the leading theologians in the Southern Baptist Convention—Jerry Lassetter, Kenneth Keathley, and Chuck Lawless, and just successfully completed his Doctor of Philosophy, having written on “God’s Revelatory Presence” (Malcolm Yarnell was his external evaluator).

Please pray for the Spirit to guide our congregation as we consider Nicholas to become our next Discipleship Pastor. The Senior Leaders, the Ministry Staff, and the Personnel Team previously met with Nicholas and Hannah, and pursued a rigorous set of background checks. We are delighted to present Nicholas to you regarding a call to serve Lakeside Baptist Church.

Finally, please pray that our Lord will continue to bless Lakeside as we embrace the generations, equip our families, and engage the world for Christ.