Matt Prine says Goodbye
To my Beloved Family at Sugar Creek:
Some of you may not have heard that I resigned my position as College Pastor and director of C2. This past Sunday was my last Sunday, and it was an AMAZING time of prayer and worship as we opened this next chapter. I have been called to serve as the Leadership Pastor at the Sanctuary Fellowship, and will be introduced as such on October 3rd. This calling was difficult to step into because our hearts are so attached to this ministry and the people here. But Cammy and I also have a deep excitement for how the Lord will use us for His glory.
I began this journey with Sugar Creek in the college ministry more than six years ago… Two years as a volunteer, and then over four years on staff. Since the time I came on staff, I have been privileged to lead the college ministry. I have poured my heart and my life into the college ministry and I cannot imagine what life would be like had I not been given that opportunity. Two and a half years ago, the Lord blessed me with another amazing opportunity to dream about groups of students meeting together to impact their school campus. This ultimately led to the birthing of what we now know as C2. Throughout those years I have seen amazing things take place. Everyone that I have had the pleasure of serving with has been a tremendous blessing to Cammy and me. It has been an honor to lead you, encourage you, and teach you. I have also been the recipient of much leadership, encouragement, and instruction, and I thank you for that. Cammy and I love you and have been honored to be a part of your life. Serving elsewhere will be tough in many regards and you all will be missed dearly.
I cannot tell you how much I love my job here at Sugar Creek. Each Sunday I have been excited and blessed to enjoy fellowship with you all. Getting to hang out with you at the C2 gatherings has been incredible, and I cannot think of a more exciting and passionate group of people to be leading here. I have been humbled to be used by the Lord in this way to pour into these ministries. Both C2 and the college group belong to HIM, and I pray that their existence moves forward staying centered around glorifying Him… I encouraged everyone in the college class on Sunday that this is a time for intentional unity… a time to pull together and worship as one body. My prayer for C2 and the college ministry is that they would not only survive, but thrive. I am also praying that they maintain a deep and intimate connection with the Holy Spirit and that they would exist for God’s glory and not simply a social connection club.
As I said in an e-mail to the C2 leaders: Do not forget who you are working for… It is not Matt Prine… It is not LYF student ministry… It is not Sugar Creek Baptist Church. You are working for the LORD and it is for HIS Kingdom. Keep working for and serving Him!! C2 belongs to Him, and He will use you to carry light into darkness. So serve well… love well… Allow the Lord to hold C2 in His hands and do what He will with it. Be humble. Be receptive to His leading. Never forget the Cross.
I will still be around town, so I pray that I will be able to continue fellowship with many of you. I know that this is not the end of the appointed time that the Lord has for many of us together. Until we see each other again, I want you to know that I will be interceding on your behalf for Gospel transformation to move forward into a lost and dying world because your hands and feet were willing to serve.
Finally, I will leave you with the last verse that I quoted on Sunday morning in the college class… it comes from Numbers 6:24-26 and is the prayer that Moses spoke over Aaron and his sons. And I commit pray it over you…
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Battling for HIS Kingdom,
matt prine
