Dear Northside Family,

I want to let you know of the leadership change that is taking place at Northside Methodist Church and Academy. Effective February 1^st, 2010, I will no longer be pastor at the church nor administrator at the school. Before you become too upset, I want you to know that God has already raised up my replacement. Pastor Chris Frith was approved by the congregation at Northside Methodist this past Sunday to be the next pastor.

When Debi and I were married we promised to serve God together, wherever He might lead us. At times this has been easy and at other times, very difficult. This is one of the more difficult times. Just as God led us down to the great state of Alabama and to the wonderful opportunity here, He is now leading us somewhere else. The Holy Spirit began to "nudge" back in late October and at first I was very reluctant to listen. I felt like it was too soon and even told God that there was no way I'd leave in the middle of the year... However, when God wants to move, our preferences need to take a back seat. So, I began to listen to His voice and really pray and seek and we were contacted by an EMC church in Memphis (the denomination I'm ordained in) about a pastoral position. God has opened the door for us to go to Meemphis and at the same time, made an opportunity for Pastor Chris and his wife Lisa here. I have spoken to a number of denominational leaders about the way God has orchestrated this whole thing and they expressed their amazement at the providential hand in these circumstances. The phrase I heard repeatedly was, "I've never even heard of such a smooth transition! That is definitely a God thing!"

We are grateful for the time we have had here and for the chance to serve the church and the school. We want you to know how much we love you and will miss you. The same God who brought us to you and has blessed this ministry abundantly in the last year is the same God who will take care of us all as we go forward. Debi and I will continue to pray for all of you and the ministry here at the school and church. We are excited to see where God will lead you in the coming days, even as He leads us. As we have been so blessed to see God's hand through this process, it is our earnest desire that you see His guidance as well.

I am also excited to be able to tell you a little about Pastor Chris Frith. He is a native son of the Wiregrass and a former NMA student, having attended through the 8^th grade. He has recently been a substitute teacher here on campus and has 15 years of ministry experience, including 2 years spent as a Bible College director in Texas. I ask that all of you lift him and his family up in prayer, support him as you have supported me, and get ready for all the blessings that God is about to pour onto Northside!

Thank you for the privilege and blessing of serving you,

Pastor Jeremy and Debi Martens