My heart is grieving today . . . My Mom is now in heaven with my Dad. 

Needless to say I am navigating through a lot of emotions. I had just made this short video to make an important church announcement just BEFORE I got the news that my Mom had a stroke and was not going to make it. They kept her very comfortable until she passed yesterday just before 6pm. Please pray for our family, this transition and new season God is leading us into. 

The transcript for the church announcement is attached below and there is already a ministry road map in place for the Summer. God bless you all! 
_______________

Hi friends! . . . I have been serving in ministry as a pastor for almost 30 years and as a lead pastor for well over 20 of those years. Most recently the Lord has been leading me through a season of ministry opportunities and experiences in which He has clearly communicated to me that He is calling Jill and myself into a new season of ministry that’s going to look different. It’s more like a repositioning in which in order to embrace I need to step down as lead pastor of Columbia Life Church. So if you have not heard yet, this Sunday June 25 will be our last Sunday as pastors at Columbia Life Church. 

We are so grateful to all of our church family, friends, and ministry partners for the opportunity to have served as pastors here at CLC. Your prayers, friendship and support are what have enabled us to do the work of ministry during our time here. We would not have been able to do what we do without you. Thank you so much! We are better people because of you!

We’re not moving. You’ll still be able to find me at YanceyValdez.com where I will still pursue and even more so those things God wants to accomplish through my writing and other speaking opportunities.

So please continue to pray for us! This door—this new season of ministry—that the Lord has opened for us to walk through is something we want to make the most out of with what He has given us to use for His glory! 

I also want to say thank you to all of you who have walked with us during these last 30 years of pastoral ministry. We have seen people find Jesus, get filled with the Holy Spirit, come together to meet the needs of people and make a difference in the lives of others, in the places the Lord has called us to serve.

We can’t thank you enough for your friendship and support. Walking with us through all the peaks and the valleys, we’re grateful to God for you!

For the journey ahead, may His abundant blessings rest upon you and your family, your ministry and all that the Lord would have you do. May you experience a greater sense of His presence and peace, His comfort and joy, His many blessings and mercy, His grace and favor as you put your faith and trust in Him. 

Thanks again. We love you. God bless you!

Pastor Yancey Valdez
ColumbiaLifeChurch.org, YanceyValdez.com