music search committee candidate introduction and ... · 14.05.2017  · music search committee...

MusicSearchCommitteeCandidateIntroductionandRecommendation×May14,2017TheMusicSearchCommitteeandPastorsaredelightedtopresentandrecommendtoyouacandidateforPastorofMusicandMedia.SincelastFall,theCommitteehasprayerfullysoughtouttherightcandidateforthistimeatFirstBaptistChurch.TheCommitteecommitteditselftofindamanofcharacter,possessingspiritualunderstandingandmaturity.Amanofconvictionwiththeologicaldepth.Amanofcompetence,possessingtheskillsnecessaryandappropriatetotheposition.AmanofchemistrywhowouldfitwiththePastors,musicteams,andchurchasawhole.TheCommitteesoughtoutamanwithaneducationsufficienttopossesstheskillsrequired,aswellasexperienceinvariousareasofchurchmusic,particularlyinworkingwithchoirsofvariousages,aband,andmedia.Beyondtheskills,theCommitteesoughtoutamanwithaheartforChrist,HisWord,HisChurch,andHisworship.Thesearchbeganwithgatheringprospectivenamesfromchurchmembersandothertrustedassociationalsources.TheCommitteethenreachedoutwithaletterofinquirytoeachofthese.Asresponsesarrived,sodidNovemberandtheThanksgivingandChristmasHolidaySeason.Asyoucanimagine,pursuingsomeoneinchurchmusicisdifficultthattimeoftheyear.As2017began,theCommitteebeganreviewingprospectivecandidatesandreachingouttoanynewnamestheyhadreceived.ThisprocesseventuallyledtotheCommitteeidentifyingthreestrongcandidatesfortheposition.Formalinterviewswerearrangedwitheachofthesecandidates.Followingtheseinterviewsandafterprayerfulconsideration,onecandidatewaschosenforfurtherinterviews.ThechosencandidatemetwiththePastorsforanin-depthdiscussionofdoctrine,ministryphilosophy,andotherpertinenttopics.ThecandidateandhiswifeweretheninterviewedagainbytheCommittee.Followingthisinterview,theCommitteevotedtoextendaninvitationtocomeinviewofcallasPastorofMusicandMediaatFBC.Theschedulewasarrangedsothecandidatecouldfulfillhisobligationsathiscurrentchurch.

TheCommitteeandPastorsarepleasedtorecommendtothechurchBro.DrewRussell.Bro.DrewisnostrangertoFBC.HisassociationwithFBCbeganasamemberoftheYouthChoirin2006.HeandhisfamilyjoinedFBCin2008.DrewgraduatedfromColumbiaChristianSchoolin2011andthenattendedCentralBaptistCollegeinConway,AR.DrewearnedaBachelorofScienceinBiblewithaminorinworshipartsin2014.HeiscurrentlypursuingaMasterofArtsinWorshipfromSouthwesternBaptistTheologicalSeminaryandplanstocompletethisdegreeinthesummerof2018.

Bro.DrewmetAmberduringtheirfirstsemesteratCBCandweremarriedinJuneof2014.AmberandherfamilyattendedBethlehemBaptistChurchinGreenbrier,AR.AmbergraduatedfromGreenbrierHighSchoolandattendedCentralBaptistCollegepursuingabusinessdegree.AmbertransferredtotheUniversityofCentralArkansasduringherjunioryearandgraduatedwithaBachelorofScienceinAccounting.SheiscurrentlyemployedasanaccountantforThomas&ThomasCPAfirmandispursuingaMasterofBusinessinAdministrationfromTexasA&MUniversityinTexarkana.SheexpectstograduateintheFallof2018.Bro.DrewspenttwosummersservingunderBro.StanScrogginsashisintern.ItwasduringthistimethathesurrenderedtotheLord'scallingonHislife.HehassinceservedinvariouscapacitiesoutsideofFBC,includingworshipleaderforCBC'schapelservicesandworshipinternatAntiochBaptistChurchinConway.InJanuaryof2015,Bro.DrewjoinedthestaffatFirstBaptistChurchofWakeVillageasMusicMinister.Sincejoiningthefull-timestaffatFBCWakeVillage,hehassuccessfullyledthestartofnewministriesandseensubstantialgrowthin

existingministries.Hedirectsanafter-schoolchildren'schoir,asanctuarychoirandasenioradultchoir.HealsoteachesaLIFEgroupandoverseesmanyaspectsofchurchmedia.Also,Bro.Drewhashadtheopportunitytoministerinavarietyofdifferentcapacitiesoutsideoflocalchurchwork.HeisaregularteacherandinstructoratSBTCLEAD,acampdedicatedtotrainingupthenextgenerationofworshipleaders.Heco-authoredandproducedthe2017VBSmusicforBogardPressandutilizedthechildren'schoiratFBCMagnoliaformuchoftherecordingprocess.Thatmusicisnowpublishedandinthehandsofchurchesandministriesaroundtheworld.Bro.DrewbelievesthatGodhascalledhimtobuildamusicministrycenteredaroundworshipdiscipleship.HeseekstodevelopaministrythatutilizesmusicandmediatoinstillBiblicaltruthsintopeoplewhowillthenlikewiseinvestinothers.Hebelievesthatworshipiscenteredaroundthedisciplineofdaily,personaldevotionandadoration.Corporateworshipistobetheoverflowofthisdailywalk.Bro.Drew’sskillsarewellknownhereatFBC.Heisagiftedpianist,vocalist,andchoraldirector.FBCknowsBro.Drew’spersonalityandhisheart.HelovestouniteallagesinmusicthatencouragesthesaintsandexaltsChrist.FBCremembersayouthfulandexuberantDrewRussell.Heisstillyouthfulandexuberant,buthereturnstouswithamaturitywellbeyondhisyears.Afteraninterview,onecommitteemanremarkedthatwhathenoticedmostwasthematurityhefoundinBro.Drew.Obviously,therestoftheCommitteeconcurs.WhilemostofthechurchknowsDrewRussell,welookforwardtoreintroducingyoutohimtheweekendofJune1-4.TheweekendwillincludeasenioradultluncheononThursday,choirrehearsalonThursdayevening,apastor-deaconluncheononFriday,andareceptionforthechurchonSundayafternoon.Bro.DrewwillleadourmusicSundaymorningandeveningandhewillspeaktothechurchSundayevening.TheCommitteewillaskthechurchtovoteonextendingacallfollowingtheeveningservice.Inthemeantime,theCommitteeasksthechurchtouniteinprayerforBro.DrewandAmberandforthechurch.MaytheLord’swillbedone.Maythechurchbeencouraged.MayChristbeexalted.Sincerely,FBCMusicSearchCommitteeandPastorsMarionBarnardKayBarrGaryDonFarrarSteveHardyAndyRayAngelaWisely

BrentSummerhillRogerDunlapDustinWisely