praying, serving. exciting news!

Transcription

1 Thank you for praying, Thank you for serving. We have some exciting news!

2 from your pastor search team... Dear New Heights Church family, Our team would like to take this opportunity to thank you for giving us the privilege of serving you in this capacity. It is a role we have taken seriously for just over a year, and we are now ready to reap the harvest of this work with you. We thank you for your patience. We understand that this process has been lengthy and thank you for continually supporting and praying for us. We also thank you for continuing to support the body during this interim time by working together and stepping up to fill needs within the church. We pray this spirit of unity continues as we move forward. We have sought to be unanimous in our decisions throughout the process, and our final decision is no different. We are very excited to present the man we unanimously believe God has called to this position, Pastor David Kizziah. He will boldly and accurately bring the word to us, lead our congregation with a kingdom focus, and shepherd us in a loving and compassionate manner. It has been a delight for the team to get to know the family over the past few weeks. The relationship we have developed has only served to give the team peace that God has clearly spoken. It is our hope that this brochure gives you a little insight into his person, his ministry, and his family and infects you with the excitement that we have each experienced. Pastor Search Team

3 introducing, David Kizziah ORDINATION Circlewood Baptist Church. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, May, 24, EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts May 02 Masters of Divinity Dec. 08 University of Mobile, Mobile, AL The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Major: Theological Studies Louisville, KY Minor: History Concentration: Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth MINISTERIAL EXPERIENCE Missionary: International Mission Board. Appointed Nov. 14 Aug. 16 Teaching in Pastoral training Bible Schools in the countries of Malawi and Zambia. Preaching in local churches and working with other IMB missionaries in the development of effective evangelistic and discipleships strategies for Sub-Sahara Africa. Teaching Pastor: Columbia Crossroads Church, Columbia SC Jan. 13 July 14 Served as the Main Teaching/Preaching Pastor at main campus. Gave oversight to all missional endeavors of the church. Served as the primary contact for over 15 missionary units spread across the globe. Assisted in the development of discipleship curriculum that served as the content portion of the church s Leadership development pipeline. Shared in the oversight of the preaching diet for all campuses and provided ongoing training for the preaching team of the church. Senior Pastor: Lake Gaston Baptist Church, Littleton NC Dec. 10 Jan. 13 Shepherded the people through expository preaching and systematic teaching of God s word. Also provided Biblical counseling, hospital/shut in visitation, and other counseling care. Equipped the saints for the work of ministry by creating various discipleship environments in which maturity in Christ could be developed. Gave oversight to all committees, staff, and ministry teams. Worked to collaborate with local pastors and church leaders in engaging our community with the Gospel. Student/Education Minister: Circlewood Bap. Church, Tuscaloosa, AL Dec. 08 Oct. 10 Senior Pastor: New Hope Baptist Church, Springfield, KY Feb. 06 May. 08 Assistant to the Pastor: Circlewood Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, AL Oct. 04 Aug. 05 Journeyman Missionary: International Mission Board, Kasama, Zambia Jul. 02 Jul. 04 M-Fuge Staff: Lifeway, Philadelphia, PA May 01 Aug. 01 Intern to Pastor of Evangelism: FBC North Mobile. Saraland, AL May 00 Feb. 01. Children s Minister: Circlewood Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, AL May 99 Aug. 99

4 we d like you to meet the kizziah family

5 David BORN MAY 8,1980 TUSCALOOSA, AL Outside of walking with the living God, my greatest joy has been to share this grace of life with my beautiful bride, Katie. She has given me 4 (very soon 5) wonderful arrows to put in our quiver. Though I am a Pastor, my full time job is trying to sharpen and polish these arrows so that they will launch well in this world to the glory of the King. I am a firm believer in the idea that it is always a good time for a cup of coffee. Veggin out for me typically happens in the woods on a nice running trail, or in a quiet, happy nook with a book. I am a big fan of food, as it really is the currency of fellowship. I have found this to be true everywhere I have lived, from Alabama to Africa. I look forward to sharing many cups of joe and meals around the table with the family at New Heights. I did not grow up attending church. One day I broke into a church to play basketball. In His amazing providence, God used this misdemeanor to break into my heart with the glorious news of His Son. Since then the prayer of my life has been that God would take the wet wood, that I call the sacrifice of my life, light it on fire with a passion for this Son, and let all around me watch me burn for His glory! Katie MARRIED MAY 14, 2005 BORN JULY 23,1984 BIRMINGHAM, AL I m Katie, happy wife of David and blessed Mama of 5 (come February) little ones! David and I were married in May of 2005 and have lived in several southern states in the past almost 12 years. Though my roots run deep in Alabama, I have enjoyed the adventure of following my husband wherever the Lord has led us, including our most recent year and a half stint in Malawi, Africa. I grew up as a Pastor s kid - in between two brothers- camping at Disney World s Fort Wilderness, watching Andy Griffith and the Lawrence Welk show, and listening to James Taylor and Doris Day. As a young girl, my room was sprinkled with ballet shoes, art books, and half-filled journals. Now, as an adult, my favorite place to be is at home with my family and a cozy pair of socks on my feet. I like old music, dark chocolate, meaningful conversations, and heart-felt hugs. Two of my life verses are Psalm 16:11 and 2 Corinthians 9:8. I have embraced the freedom of knowing life is not about my performance, but my position in Christ. Knowing that God keeps His promises, works all things for good, and rules over all creation is the greatest comfort to my soul!

6 John David I am nine and a half years old and will turn ten in May. I might possibly be the biggest Clemson fan in the world even though the rest of my family are Alabama fans (we came out on top this time!) I enjoy reading, playing Minecraft, building with Legos, jumping on the trampoline, and watching Andy Griffith with my Grandfather. I also enjoy watching, playing, and talking about sports. Also, I love eating meat (I am pretty much a carnivore!) Karis My name is Karis and I turned four on October 4th. I love real animals and stuffed animals, and I love doing anything with my big sister. My parents call me their snugglebug and they say I make them laugh. I like watching Paw Patrol and playing (or eating) just about anything. My favorite color is yellow today (but tomorrow it may be something else). Claire I m Claire and I am seven. I enjoy ballet, arts and crafts, and writing stories. I also enjoy playing Minecraft with my older brother, playing dolls and ponies with my sister, and reading books to my baby brother. My favorite color is pink, and I love bunny rabbits. Judah I m Judah, I just turned one in December but I will not be the baby of the family much longer. I am starting to walk and even run, and soon I ll be playing football. Though my Dad is trying to teach me to say, Roll Tide, my brother may convince me to be a Clemson fan. Maybe some of you Gamecocks can influence me as well. Outdoors is my happy place, and I have been known to cry when my yogurt is all gone. Katie maintains a family blog, so you can read more about their adventures at ourvapor.org

7 A note from David Kizziah Greetings New Heights Church family! To me it is a weighty and beautiful thing to be able to greet you in this capacity, namely, as the one whom God has written into this chapter of this body to serve as His under-shepherd. Please know that it is with much joy and much trepidation that I do so. There is joy in knowing that I have the privilege of ministering the gospel among you all. The good news of what God has done, will do, and is doing even right now through His Son to fix our broken world and our broken lives is the source of all our joy. And yet, we face a real enemy who would love to use the allurements of this world to draw us away from this joy in Jesus and into other, suicidal pleasures. What an honor to have a part in leading God s people in this fight to enjoy the gospel of Jesus over and above all other counterfeit joys. What an honor, and what a joy! There is also much trepidation as I unite my voice with the Apostle Paul s and say, who is sufficient for such things? Truly my sufficiency for this task comes only from God alone as the power of His Spirit equips me for what lies ahead. Apart from Him, I can indeed do nothing! He is the One who has written our lives into this new chapter at New Heights. The more we interacted with your delightful Search Team and the more we opened our hearts to the Lord waiting to hear, This is the way, walk in it, the more our union with New Heights became clear. We firmly believe that we have been called to join this body for such a time as this! What a journey it has been to get to this point, both for our family and for all of you. We know that we are entering into the labors of many and we look forward, with gladness, to hearing the Lord sing His final note of affirmation over all of us when we gather for worship together on the 22nd! With joy and trembling, Pastor David Kizziah

8 OUR MISSION: TO DISCIPLE OUR COMMUNITY IN THE NAME AND LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST back cover MATTHEW 28:18-20