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While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” - Acts 13:2  

 
Ordain: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority.  
Commission: the act of granting certain powers or authority to carry out a particular task or duty. 
Set Apart: Greek – Aphorizo: to appoint, set apart for some purpose. 
 
This Sunday, June 22, we will be having a special Ordination and Commissioning Service for Brandon Peak and the Peak, Field and Gilchrist families as they prepare to launch out in a step of faith to start a new initiative - “a movement of ordinary people multiplying disciples and churches in everyday places” here in the Winston Salem area.  

This new movement has been something that God has been stirring in Brandon’s heart for several years now, a desire to reach people in a new way, especially people who are looking for something different beyond an established church setting. He has shared this vision with the church leadership who have prayed over it and have sensed God’s leading and direction to see it come into fruition. They are fully behind this new work.  

Brandon and his family came to Bridges during the pandemic in 2020 and have become a vital part of our church family. Over the last few years, he has served as a Resident, a nonpaid staff member, overseeing Small Groups, preaching on occasion, leading a Small Group, shadowing the elders, and demonstrating leadership skills in multiple areas. We have been blessed to have him on staff in multiple ways. He has selflessly given his life to serving the kingdom, and that has been greatly appreciated.  

Through this time, the elders have recognized God’s calling on Brandon’s life and as he prepares to take this next step, will be ordaining him for ministry this Sunday as a public acknowledgement of this calling. It is a privilege and honor to do so.  

We will also be commissioning the Peak, Fields, and Gilchrist families as they prepare to take this step as well. God is calling each of them to become part of this new venture and are being trained and equipped for their new roles now.  
Sunday will be a bittersweet day as we celebrate what God is calling them to do while at the same time experiencing a type of loss at their leaving. They have all been a true gift from God, and we are grateful for the time we have had with them. They will all still be in the area so this will not have to be a true “goodbye”, they will just not be attending Bridges after this Sunday.  

On a personal note, it is with mixed emotions that I write this. Over the past 5 years, each of these families has meant a lot to me. Having Brandon be part of the staff has been a huge help and encouragement to me. I have learned a lot from him and with him. His skillset has been a tremendous help but even greater to me has been his character and heart for the Lord. He has been a good friend and brother in Christ. It is impossible here to point out how each member of these 3 members has meant to us – the Peaks - Brandon, Danelle, Michaela, & Naomi; the Fields - Jason, Dana, Jovie, Willow, Sawyer & Ramona, and the Gilchrists – Jacob, Megan, Gideon, Babette & Molly. I will miss them all. We will miss them all.  

There are three things we are asking you to do... 

  1. Support them – be there for them and offer help when and where you can. 
  2. Encourage them – build them up, edify them, speak words to give courage.
  3.  Pray for them – this is one of the best things we can do for them as they trust God with what is ahead. Pray for this movement to reach people for Christ! Pray for them and ask for God’s blessings.  

Please join us this Sunday as we gather together to hear more of what God is doing to set them apart and to support and encourage them.  

See you this Sunday.