In the Fall of 2002, my family moved to Stafford, Virginia.  I  joined the Mount Ararat staff under the leadership of Pastor Dee Whitten.  I really connected with Pastor Dee, and I was looking forward to serving with him.  Ten months later, Pastor Dee sensed God leading him to leave Mount Ararat and go to work with Virginia Baptists (BGAV).  When I arrived that fall, I would have never predicted that in January 2005 I would become Senior Pastor of Mount Ararat.  I will confess there was so much about coming initially to Virginia that did not make sense.  We just had our third daughter Lexie, we were serving a good church in Texas (www.plymouthpark.org), Plymouth Park Baptist Church.  I served there for ten years.  All of our family lived in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.  Hannah, our oldest just started kindergarten, but both Pam and I sensed we were supposed to come here.  I am so glad we did!  We have been serving Mount Ararat for the past 5 1/2 years.

A few weeks ago, my friend and mentor Pastor Dee Whitten returned to the area to serve as Pastor of a new church Fairview River Club (www.fairviewatriverclub.org).  Fairview Baptist Church in Fredericksburg launched this new campus out on route 3.  I am excited for Dee and Jane, because I know God has designed his heart to be a pastor.  If you know Pastor Dee, take time to visit his website or email him an encouraging note.  I know as a pastor those messages are a great encouragement.  Mount Ararat will be forever marked by his legacy.  Pastor Dee Whitten served Mount Ararat for 16 years.