As we welcome Pastor Mike, we want to remember our sister church, Hickory Grove Baptist Church during this transition. Below is the letter that the elder body of Richland Creek, on behalf of our church body, sent to Hickory Grove.

Please keep them in your prayers as they have now entered into their own pastoral transition.

Dear Pastors and Leaders of Hickory Grove Baptist Church,

On behalf of the entire congregation of Richland Creek Community Church, we desire to thank you for the Christ-honoring investments you have made, over the last 15 years, in Mike and Candi Powers and their family. As we have gotten to know the Powers family over the last few months, and called him as our Vision and Preaching Pastor, the marks of effective and godly leadership have been obvious. We recognize, and rejoice, that God has used many of you to instill and impress those marks in Pastor Mike.

In his first letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul writes, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Lord’s work in and through Hickory Grove shines forth, because in the providence and grace of God, as you invested in Pastor Mike, you were simultaneously investing in us. In fact, we know and trust that your investment will continue to pay gospel dividends at Richland Creek for years to come. Glory to God for His amazing and unmistakable providence!

We are so thankful for, and can absolutely feel, the prayers that you have been offering up to the Lord for our church family. We, in turn, are praying for you as you enter into a pastoral transition of your own. May our Lord guide your every decision, your every step, as you continue as a congregation to honor and glorify Him.