June 2nd
Many resumes have been submitted and we have stopped actively pursuing applicants and have removed all postings of the position on external sites. We are working our way through the resumes, by order of submission, in groups and are also refining our processes we are using in finding our next pastor. So far, we have been through the resumes for over half of the candidates.
The search for our pastor is a very different process than most organizations would normally undergo in searching for a new CEO or head of an organization or even for an educational leader. Even though in the world, prayer may be done by those involved in the hiring process, prayer is the root of our work and we desperately and urgently request that you continue to join us in prayer about this process. To help with this, we are providing a one-page/two-sided prayer guide that we ask you to take and tuck away in a place to refer to daily as you spend time in prayer in your prayer closet talking to and listening to the Lord. One side is a guide in praying for the committee and the other side is a guide for praying for the church during this time. We are very grateful that each area of prayer includes supportive Scripture from God’s Word. Church-wide prayer is critical and necessary to the success of this work.
We thank you for your participation, including your prayers for the committee and for our church during this time, that we as a church are unified behind Christ, that we stay clean with a heart full of repentance and confession, and that we stay in tune with the Holy Spirit so that we may hear His voice clearly. Please make it a part of your daily prayer life as you go about each day. A link for the prayer guide is on this site. Please contact the church office if you have trouble locating this link. Again, thank you for your support and we appreciate your prayers for us, our church, our services and ministries, our staff, and our interim pastor.
The Pastor Search Committee
May 1st
The pastor search committee would like to announce a new member of the committee, based on the original process used to select the committee. Nicole Austin will be joining and will also be serving as the secretary of the committee. Nicole and her husband, Brandon, have been active members of our church for the past several years and have served our church in various capacities. Nicole was raised in a Christian home in the area, attending and being saved through the ministry of a Southern Baptist church in our county. Welcome, Nicole! Tim Brown will begin serving as chair of the committee.
The committee would like to also thank church members who submitted pastor search surveys during the recent survey period. These have already provided valuable information for our committee's search process. Please continue to pray for the committee for the Holy Spirit to communicate clearly with all committee members and for the committee to work on God's timing to select the Pastor God has already selected for New Salem Baptist.
The Pastor Search Committee
April 29th
The pastor search committee extends condolences to Cathie Copeland and her family in the passing of Dwight Copeland. We will continue to pray for each member of the family in the coming days, weeks, and months. Dwight has been an integral member of the pastor search committee and served as its chair. Dwight displayed the characteristics of what it means to be a Christian in his leadership of the committee as he led with a servant's heart. He led with wisdom, love, patience, a strong work ethic, and loyal dedication. Each of us is very grateful for his leadership, character, and integrity.
In Loving Memory of Dwight D. Copeland
A Faithful Servant to God, His Family, and His Church
The Pastor Search Committee
February 26th
The pastor search committee is pleased to announce that Mike Woods has accepted an offer to be the interim pastor at New Salem. Mike retired from First Baptist Church-Powder Springs in 2021 after serving for 40 years there. Mike holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Reigion from Shorter College and a Masters of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Mike and his wife Myra have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Mike will begin his ministry at New Salem Sunday, March 2nd. There will be a meet-greet reception after the morning service the following Sunday March 9th. Mike will be serving in the interim pastor role until such time as a senior pastor is called. We know that you will give Mike and Myra a warm greeting and that you will be praying for him and his ministry.
The Pastor Search Committee
January 13th
One of our goals as a pastor search committee is to keep the church congregation fully informed of our progress. We are currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the position of interim pastor. As we do this, it has been a tremendous blessing to speak with men who have dedicated their lives to the service of God's work. It is also gratifying to know that these men are willing to help our church as we go through a transition phase. We, as a committee, promise to do the best that we can, but as the same time lean wholly on the Lord, not on our own understanding.
The Pastor Search Committee,
Tim Brown, Dwight Copeland, Charlie Johnson, Adam Starnes, Robby Steltenpohl
Pastor Search Committee members:
Tim Brown
Charlie Johnson
Adam Starnes
Robby Steltenpohl
Nicole Austin
