Don’t Look Any Further

The R&B song by Dennis Edwards kept going through my head back when the committee first began their search for a new pastor at Redeemer Church. It is a catchy tune…”Don’t Look Any Further…Further.”

I was thinking of Elbert McGowan, Jr., a young, qualified, beautiful teaching elder from the congregation. According to the elders in their letter to the church members:

Elbert has labored among us, interning for Redeemer in the early years of the church while he was in seminary. He was involved in the church’s early work, including the tutoring, basketball and nursing home ministries. He planted a Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) ministry at Jackson State University in 2007, where he has been a beloved pastor for nine years. Not only does Elbert know our church, he has participated in it, experienced ministry leadership in it, lived in our neighborhood, taught and been taught by our people. He and Karen understand Redeemer’s vision, know and love our people and care deeply about the church’s future.

The choice has been made. Elbert McGowan, Jr. was selected as the new pastor of Redeemer. This looks like a Godly choice. The elders took their time, listened to the congregation and the leading of God. They were led to look no further than their own back yard.

God bless Redeemer and Elbert McGowan, Jr. 

This selection is a real model of Christian leadership development. 

A tremendous testimony to the world. 

A truly beautiful thing.