Good Family,
May 2, 2022 at 6:30pm was when I walked into the doors of PPUMC and met with Pastor Chris, members of the SPRC and District Superintendent Rev. Dan Johnson in community hall. The Bishop and members of the cabinet through prayerful discernment concerning me coming to Prospect Park as the next lead Pastor. I received word a week before I went to Germany that by unanimous vote, it was approved. June 5th was when I graduated from Luther Seminary with my MDiv and it was fitting that I graduated on Pentecost Sunday and this was when you have received word about me coming over to PPUMC! June 15th, 2022 was when I walked into the doors and that week I met staff and ministry leaders within the community. June 19th was my first service and that was when I got a chance to worship with everyone and you welcomed me with my family with open arms. Also it was the first time I heard the Grammy Nominated Birthday Song by Prospect Park as my Birthday is June 20th!
It is crazy that June marks one year since I have been at Prospect Park and I can honestly say that I am truly grateful and honored to serve and do ministry with each and every single one of you. Whether you are in person or virtually, I am honored to be your pastor and to connect with you. We have accomplished so much in just one year: from pastoral transitions, dealing with COVID and finding what our “new normal” is, new paint job within the church, welcoming Dr. Marcus and Family as he joined the community as the new Minister of Music and more, here we are, still standing and continuing to make a difference.
As we continue to embark on this journey, I am excited for what comes our way. Let 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (MSG) be our guide as we continue to do what God calls us to do at Prospect Park UMC:
“Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!”
Let’s Get It!
-Pastor Isiah C. Dennis