By Steve Bradshaw, Director of Maturing Churches and Church Health Strategist, Central East Region

I want to take this opportunity to inform you of the Maturing Churches Ministry strategy for the Central West Region in light of the absence of a full-time Church Health Strategist. During the interim period, we will rely on the experience of a seasoned Associate Church Health Strategist in Shawn Ames (sames@sbcv.org) who will be responsible for territories west of Lynchburg including Forest, Bedford and points south including Rocky Mount and Martinsville.

We are also pleased to announce the return of Don Matthews (dmatthews@sbcv.org) as an Associate Church Health Strategist for the Central West Region. Don is a highly respected minister, strategist and consultant that brings seasoned and trusted experience to encourage pastors, staff, wives and churches. Don has most recently served as the director of Church Health & Revitalization for the South Carolina Baptist Convention where he championed the Church Health Assessment and Mobilization Planning Strategy (C.H.A.M.P.S.). In retirement, Don and his wife Mary Ann have returned to Virginia be near children and grandchildren and call now call Appomattox home. Don will minister in the eastern and southern parts of the region that includes Appomattox, Lynchburg and points south including Altavista, South Boston and Danville. Don is also available for Church Health Consultations throughout the region and state. If you know Don Matthews, you also know that retirement is not in his vocabulary. We welcome back the Matthews!

Gary Horton (ghorton@sbcv.org), Church Health Strategist in the South West Region, will assist churches located in the western portion of the Central West Region including Salem and Roanoke.

When it comes to the northern portion of the Central West Region, I, Steve Bradshaw (sbradshaw@sbcv.org), Church Health Strategist in the Central East Region will minister to churches including the cities of Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro.

As you can see, the Lord has provided seasoned missionaries to assist you and your churches during this interim period.

Please know that without advertisement, we have already received 10 resumes of persons interested in the full time role of Church Health Strategist. We will be receiving resumes through January 31 and welcome your input and recommendations. If you would like more information of the job description, expectations, etc… do not hesitate to contact me. You may also be included in a random survey or interview that will help us profile the best candidate to serve in this particular demographic and dynamic we call the Central West Region.

Thanks again for your prayerful support and concern as the Lord provides for current needs and as He leads us to the next Church Health Strategist.

In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at the January Power Meals. We will be featuring some of the latest online resources and a book follow-up to Transformational Churches called The Case for Antioch by Jeff Iorge. We hope to see you there.