FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Everyone -

For such big news, I’m shocked I’ve not blogged it sooner … but the news is so big … and the “walking it out” has had me a bit pre-occupied … but the news is … “I have a new job”.

I officially started this past Monday, 3/11 … as the new Full Time Pastor and Director of Worship/Music for St. Simons Community Church. I’d like to make a link to the SSCC website, but alas … it’s under construction, and isn’t public yet. But I’ve got eyes on the developement, and it’s really nice.

As you may recall, Joy and I felt that God was leading us and releasing us to resign from our 11-year position as Worship Pastor at Christian Renewal on St. Simons. Great church – great leaders – great people … they are still so much of a loving family to us, and will be forever … but we knew that God had called us to step back … leading us out into the unknown.

I really felt that I was ready to move back into a more full-time role in local ministry … not being sure how/if that would ever work for someone with an entrepreneurial drive (owning multiple businesses) and who also pursues the opportunities to play concerts, lead worship, record, etc., outside the “local church” environment. At the same time, I was not content spending each and every day working my “secular business” and missed the interaction in the local church environment. I prayed and told God “if you can work it out, I’d be interested in returning to ministry staff – even on a full-time basis”. I told Joy this just before Christmas, and shortly after, I was contacted by Pastor David Yarborough about the new position at SSCC.

SSCC is an awesome church … it was started here on SSI and is a relatively new work … but is exploding in ministry and leadership. We are currently running around 1200 people on Sundays, between 3 jam-packed services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00. I am taking the reigns of a worship ministry that is already flourishing with great talent … they are full of love and have a heart of genuine, servant-based worship. I’ve been BLOWN AWAY by how they have accepted and embraced me. I attribute lots of this to Harriet Jones, the wonderful woman of God who has brought this ministry to where it stands today in worship, as a founding member and the worship leader since the church was started. I’m honored to come along and work with her and this team, and she’s been totally gracious in “giving me the keys” … and I look forward to a wonderful time in serving with her and the rest of the team.

I’m prayerfully considering my options on how to best manage my other HPP-related businesses … and hopefully will have clear direction there shortly. In the meantime, I’ve just had my first rehearsal and will be leading all three worship services this Sunday … and can’t wait. There is an incredible sense of excitement, zeal, and anticipation about what God is going to do. I’m honored to have been placed into a great church with great leadership … the staff, elders, and leadership team are top-notch. Wow … I’m in for quite a ride. I look forward to giving a lot – but also embrace LEARNING A LOT.

God is so, so, very faithful. I really wondered if we’d be moving … maybe that God would open a door in a different city .. I just didn’t really see any possiblity of being fulfilled like this locally. Little did I know that God was already at work, making a place for me right here on the island we love so very much with people we’ve known for years.

Pray for us – it’s an awesome journey. My former CRCSSI family has been so gracious, so loving – offering their love, gratitude, and sharing their own excitement for what God is doing. The new SSCC family is equally gracious and they’ve made us feel like we’ve already been here forever. To all of you – we love you lots! I’m so glad to be in the Lord’s Kingdom, and a part of His mighty Army – side by side with those we love.

Stay tuned for more …

For the Kingdom,
Fred