Unexpected Surprises

So I head into New Life Community Church for worship this morning, sit down, and then look up and see the pastor of the church sitting behind the pulpit. Turns out it's Scott Castleman, a friend of mine from seminary. What an unexpected surprise.

Scott has responded to the call of the Lord to ministry by serving as the pastor of both New Life and Handsboro Presbyterian Churches - churches about 15 minutes apart. These are two churches that walked very different paths yet are in the same place. New Life was founded in 1990, grew to 150 and is now at 7 members. Handsboro was founded in the late 1800s and is down to a similar number of members. Both churches were preparing to close their doors just prior to Katrina hitting. PDA's motto is, "Out of chaos, hope." Clearly here in Mississippi, we are seeing God bring new life out of mind-boggling tragedy.

Please keep Scott, his family and his ministry in your prayers as he seeks to be God's hands in bringing new life to these churches and this area.