“God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform;
he plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessing on your head.”
Those words, written by William Cowper in 1774, have been a great comfort to us this year as we move through a season of transition and waiting. In May we graduated from The Master’s Seminary-Spokane and finished a two-year pastoral residency over Youth Ministry at Faith. Since then we have been waiting to see where God would place us next. In the midst of this waiting, God has indeed shown his providence to be mysterious, as our plans have often not panned out. But he has also convinced us that his providence is merciful, conforming us to Christ and building his church. Though we didn’t exactly like the waiting, God has taught us more about what it means to trust him. We are grateful.
In two weeks the Sturms will be heading back to our midwestern motherland, taking up residence in Wausau, Wisconsin, where I (Josh) will join the pastoral staff at Immanuel Baptist Church. IBC is a noticeably warm community of about 300 with a hunger for rich teaching and a prayerful spirit. They sing with passion and love one another well. We look forward to joining IBC in making disciples in Wausau.
Playing follow-up to Faith Bible Church is no small matter. Words are hard to come by that rightly express our gratitude. You have welcomed us into your homes and families. You have entrusted to us significant ministry. You have given us your very selves. You have been the church of the living God and our lives are forever changed because of it. There have been and will be many tears of gratitude for God’s grace in and through Faith Bible Church. And now we need your prayers. Pray we would depend on Christ. Pray that we would develop healthy rhythms of life and ministry. Pray that Immanuel Baptist Church would be built up in Christ to the glory of God and the good of his people.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32
—Josh Sturm
Josh is a graduate of The Master's Seminary Spokane. He and his wife Nicole enjoy reading novels together and spending time outdoors.
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