Ecclesiastes 3:1 states “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:”  

I remember the meeting in December of 2019 with Pastor Jym at Brickhouse Coffee (Jym got hot chocolate?!) when he asked me to consider coming on staff as a part time Pastor for Administration. I left the meeting excited about this opportunity to serve my local church in a new way. The past five years of serving as one of your pastors has flown by quickly, but this season is ending and now is the time that I am announcing my retirement from my role here at LifePoint.  

Looking back to my first day on March 8, 2020 I remember my first staff meeting as Pastor for Administration. It was a great introduction to life as a pastor here at LifePoint, but close to the end of the meeting someone mentioned a news release about people experiencing a new type of upper respiratory infection. Little did I know that the next few months were going to be spent coordinating homemade mask distribution, recording weekly video updates, and working to arrange seating in the worship center to allow adequate room to worship. I am glad we are in 2025 now!

I enjoyed the sweet time and comradery with my fellow pastors during staff meetings and Monday lunches. The yearly pastors' retreats were 24 hours of time with my brothers to hear their heart for the church and their respective ministries. This was a special time each year. Along with learning about ministry I also learned that many of these men have some serious guns, and they know how to use them! Likewise, I have grown by serving with the team of elders here at LifePoint. These men serve this local church body by the giving of their time to pray for you and seek God’s direction to help shepherd this local body of believers.  

I enjoyed attending to the daily practical needs of the church, which are too many to list. It was a joy to work with the deacon team, finance committee, helping to train Life Group leaders, serving on the Campus Outreach board, and most recently helping with the Daily Bible Reading plan.

One of my passions is for Christian men to grow in their walk with the Lord. Even though I will no longer spend Monday through Friday on staff here at LifePoint I plan to continue to work with the men’s ministry team to ensure that men have learning opportunities: men’s breakfasts, weekend events, and weekly Bible studies.

Prayer is the privilege that we have to commune with our heavenly Father and I have had the great privilege to spend time with brothers and sisters who are concerned about people who have not repented, believed and put their trust in Jesus. The Praying for the Lost prayer time will continue right before our last Sunday night worship times.

It is my hope that I can be used by God in this next chapter and serve Him well.

Thank you to those who have worked alongside me and the good people of LifePoint for giving me the privilege to be one of your pastors for these past five years!

Dave Oakley

‍