Stephen Sparks - Director of Senior Adult Ministries

From the wisdom writings of Solomon, we read:  “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).   He continues on in this marvelous chapter and parallels the seasons of the year to the seasons of our lives.  What an awesome passage of Scripture.  It is certainly one of my very favorites.

I have always been a strong believer in the “seasons” of our lives.  Over and over again, I have seen this firsthand in my own life and ministry as He has led me one step at a time.

This thing we call life is one amazing journey.  How wonderful to know that wherever we are on the journey of life, God is there with us and we have the privilege of celebrating His presence and learning the lessons the Holy Spirit is teaching us.  Every season is divinely ordained of God, and all we are asked to do is to simply follow Him as He guides us every step of the way.

It is hard to believe I have served you as the national director of Senior Adult Ministries since November of 1998.  This has been an amazing season of my life.  How honored I have been to be able to touch the lives of thousands of seniors who are also on the journey of life.

Recently, the Lord has been speaking to my heart about moving on into a new season of my life and ministry.  Although it was a difficult decision to make, I have resigned my position and am excited about what the future has in store for me.

THANK YOU for the wonderful privilege of serving you these past seven and a half years.  It has been a delight for me to do so.  You are the greatest people in the world.  I simply pray God’s continued blessings on your lives and ministries as you faithfully serve Him in His harvest field.  May He continue to give you the very desires of your heart as you seek His will and His way for your lives.  How wonderful to know that our lives are in His hands and He is faithful.

Let me close with the first and last stanzas of one of my favorite poems by Barbara C. Ryberg:

He does not lead me year by year
Nor even day by day.
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way.

What need to worry then, or fret?
The God who gave His Son
Holds all my moments in His hand
And gives them, one by one.

Enjoy the journey – take care my friends.