Am I the Bishop or the Pastor today? That has been the question for the past few weeks. Today I lay down one title and assume the full time title of Pastor. When man closes one door, God opens another.

 

Vonnie and I would like to thank the wonderful people and pastors of North Carolina for ten great years. I really can't think of any down times. They have all been good, progressive, challenging and fulfilling. You have been warm and encouraging to me and my family. You have fed us, clothed us, sheltered us and loved us. It has been a great ride together. We have laughed, cried, rejoiced and danced together. Today, I choose to dance again.

 

You have loved my children. There were only four of us when I accepted this position. Ten years later we have grown to nine Gilmers. And you loved all of us. We will love you for forever and always.

 

You supported the my vision and dreams for this state and God has blessed us with spiritual, financial and numerical growth. God has nurtured relationships and this state is closer today as one body than I have witnessed it in twenty years.

 

While our minds and spirits do not understand the recent events and decisions, we are thankful that God has opened the door for my wife and myself to continue to minister in North Carolina. Vonnie pastors over five hundred families each day. She is also a great pastor's wife. Together we plan to shepherd the loving people of Rockingham. We hope to become part of the Richmond County community. As I have shared with you many times, "I am a pastor at heart."

 

The church at Rockingham has accepted Vonnie and myself with open arms and open hearts. We are already forming relationships and learning who is in leadership positions. God is blessing with powerful services and the attendance is  consistently in the two hundreds. Before we accepted the pastorate, the church hired a Youth Pastor, Nic and Haley Jackson. They are committed to ministry and the youth group is growing and coming together as one unit. Rockingham, is a spiritually fit church and well proportioned in every age group. Leadership is well trained and positioned. We are blessed to be chosen as Pastor of this great church. We covet your prayers as we attempt to lead this church and her beautiful people to even great heights in the future.

 

I want  to thank Brother Les Herod for assisting me in develop the Knee-Mail Newsletter. I plan to continue the Knee-Mail Newsletter from the Rockingham church as a communication tool. While we will include news and events of the Church of God of Prophecy, state of North Carolina and the Rockingham church, Bishop Davis will develop his unique form of communication from the North Carolina State Office.

 

Several have asked me to continue the "Thank God for Mulligans" golf outings. These have been great times of fellowship. You will be hearing about the next outing soon.

 

We look forward to continued fellowship and growing relationships. "Friends are friends forever, so the story never ends." 

 

Steve & Vonnie, Stuart, Casi, Mallory & Maddux, Kyle, Stephanie & Noah